Id celebrated in Kashmir with traditional fervour; no Id prayers at Jamia Masjid

Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated across Kashmir on April 22 with traditional fervour and gaiety as the largest congregation of devotees was witnessed at the Hazratbal shrine on the banks of the Dal lake.

Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated across Kashmir on April 22 with traditional fervour and gaiety as the largest congregation of devotees was witnessed at the Hazratbal shrine on the banks of the Dal lake.

However, authorities did not allow Id prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid in the old city, a day after allowing Friday congregational prayers.

Hopes of Id prayers being offered at the 14th-century mosque in the city's Nowhatta area were raised after authorities allowed the Shab-e-Qadr and Jumatul Vida prayers.

However, officials directed the Jamia Masjid management to conduct the Id prayers at 7:30 a.m. instead of 9 a.m.

The Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid said the prayers could not be held at 7:30 a.m. as people had to come from far-flung areas in accordance with the schedule announced earlier.

The Id celebrations went on smoothly elsewhere with men, women and children, dressed in their best, making a beeline to mosques, eidgahs and shrines to offer prayers.

The largest congregational prayers were held at the Hazratbal shrine where former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah was among the notable persons to offer prayers.