Tears, faith mark last Friday of Ramadhan in Kashmir

Srinagar, Mar 20: A mixture of joy and sorrow filled the air across Jammu and Kashmir on the last Friday of Ramadan, as thousands gathered in mosques and shrines, not just in prayer, but in farewell too.
“Afsoos, Azee Govham Juddaa, Aai Maah-e-Ramadan Alwada” (O beloved month you are departing, O Ramadan, Good-bye), whispered many, as the Valley witnessed deeply emotional scenes, with tears in their eyes, hands raised in dua and hearts heavy at the thought of the holy month coming to an end.
Devotees gathered in large numbers at mosques and shrines across the Valley and parts of Jammu, with many lingering longer than usual, reluctant to let go of the spiritual calm Ramadan brings.
“It feels like a guest we love is leaving,” Abdul Rasheed from Khanyar said. “One waits all year for Ramadan, and suddenly it is over.”
At the historic Jamia Masjid Srinagar, thousands offered congregational prayers, but the absence of chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq added to the emotional weight of the day.
“It feels incomplete without his sermon,” said a young worshipper. The mosque management claimed that the Mirwaiz continues to remain under house arrest, drawing concern among devotees.
Meanwhile, at Hazratbal Dargah, a sea of people queued for prayers, many seen in tears, quietly praying not just for themselves but for those suffering across the world.
“This Ramadhan felt different,” said a woman from Ganderbal. “Every prayer included people in war, in hardship. Today, it felt heavier.”
Across districts of Kashmir and parts of the Jammu division, similar scenes unfolded, as mosques overflowed with worshippers marking the spiritual significance of the day.
Amid these emotional gatherings, National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah expressed concern over the ongoing Middle East conflict, urging an immediate end to hostilities.
“I pray that this war comes to an end, peace is restored, and people can live in comfort and safety,” he told reporters in Srinagar.
“It will have very severe consequences. Not only our country, but the entire world will be affected. That is why this war must stop as soon as possible,” Dr Farooq added.
Notably, across Jammu and Kashmir, the last Friday of Ramadan was marked by an overwhelming outpouring of faith and emotion, as mosques, shrines and Eidgahs in districts including Anantnag, Baramulla, Kupwara, Budgam, Pulwama, Bandipora, and Srinagar witnessed massive congregations. (KNO)