Deputy Commissioners Gear Up For Upcoming Religious Festivals

Bandipora, March 25, 2025: In a proactive effort to ensure smooth celebrations during significant upcoming religious festivals, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Manzoor Ahmad Qadri, convened a crucial meeting at the mini secretariat on March 24. The meeting addressed essential arrangements for Shab-e-Qadr, Jumat-ul-Vida, Eid-ul-Fitr, and Navratra 2025. Emphasizing the importance of community engagement, Qadri underlined ensures that services like electricity, water supply, sanitation, and security are adequately managed.

During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner urged all concerned departments to collaborate on a coordinated action plan. This effort focuses on facilitating the smooth observance of these revered religious occasions, which play a vital role in the local culture. Qadri directed special teams, including police and revenue officers, to monitor local markets proactively and prevent any potential overpricing of goods—a prevalent concern during festive seasons.

"The DC urged concerns from Municipal Committees to conduct special cleanliness drives at religious places," a representative stated, highlighting the importance of maintaining the sanctity of locations like mosques and shrines during these festive days. Expectations were set for the Health Department to deploy medical teams and ambulances, while the Transport Department was tasked with managing parkings, ensuring public transportation runs smoothly to accommodate worshippers.

Meanwhile, the preparations continued in Srinagar, where an important meeting was held by the Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid Srinagar, chaired by Mirwaiz Dr. Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq. This meeting focused on finalizing arrangements at the historic Central Jamia Masjid to ensure convenience for worshippers and visitors during Shab-e-Qadr and Jumat-ul-Vida. Important details were announced, including that Taraweeh prayers will commence at 10:00 PM on Shab-e-Qadr, proceeding with the Mirwaiz’s religious sermon from midnight.

On Jumat-ul-Vida, congregational Friday prayers are planned for 2:30 PM, with the sermon beginning at 12:45 PM. The organizing body assured that arrangements would be in place to facilitate the worshippers and those traveling from distant areas, promoting comfort and ease throughout these sacred events.

"The members, staff, and officials of Anjuman Auqaf assured Mirwaiz of their commitment to uphold the sanctity of the central Jamia Masjid," an official mentioned, emphasizing the need for quality service during the festivities. The civil administration was also encouraged to provide uninterrupted power and water supply, effective traffic management, and maintain cleanliness both inside and outside the mosque throughout these blessed days.

Further enhancing the spiritual ambiance, worshippers have been advised to bring their own prayer mats when attending Friday prayers—an essential reminder as the anticipation builds around these high-priority religious observances.

In conjunction with these preparations, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, conducted a thorough visit to the Hazratbal Shrine on March 25. This visit aimed to ensure all arrangements were in place for the pivotal events of Shab-e-Qadr, Jumat-ul-Vida, and Eid-ul-Fitr. The DC was accompanied by several senior officials, including the Administrator of J&K Wakf Board and members from the shrine management.

Bhat’s on-site assessment addressed critical logistical elements, instructing departments to prioritize water and electricity supply, cleanliness measures, and addressing potential challenges such as inclement weather. With more than one lakh devotees expected to attend the prayers at the shrine, the arrangements made during this time are deemed crucial.

Deputy Commissioner Bhat's directives reaffirmed the commitment to facilitate these religious occasions effortlessly, ensuring the community can gather with reverence and gratitude. The atmosphere throughout this period is expected to be filled with spirituality as local experiences come alive with religious fervor, urging everyone to reflect and pray for peace, unity, and well-being.

As the holy month of Ramadan progresses, the engagement of local communities in such active preparations portrays an encouraging sense of unity and collaboration. As they stand prepared to celebrate Shab-e-Qadr, Jumat-ul-Vida, and Eid-ul-Fitr, worshippers find solace in the collective efforts aimed at fostering an atmosphere of peace and spirituality.