Thousands throng for prayers on Jumat-ul-Vida

Thousands of Muslims today thronged the mosques and shrines in the Kashmir Valley to offer congregational prayers on Jumat-ul-Vida, the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan.

Thousands of Muslims today thronged the mosques and shrines in the Kashmir Valley to offer congregational prayers on Jumat-ul-Vida, the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan.

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The largest gatherings were witnessed at Jamia Masjid in Srinagar's old city and the Hazaratbal mosque, which is venerated for housing a holy relic of Prophet Muhammad.

At Jamia Masjid, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq - the chief cleric of the Valley - addressed thousands of faithful.

Apart from the people inside the Jamia Masjid, many more prayed in the garden outside the mosque, on the streets and alleys.

Mirwaiz, in his Friday address, spoke about the need of the unity of the Muslim world.

This day is also observed here as Youm-e-Kashmir (Kashmir Day). At Hazratbal, which witnessed a massive gathering, thousands offered the congregational prayers.

Traffic at both the places was diverted through alternate routes. Elsewhere in the Valley, mosques were filled with people.

Police presence was increased in Srinagar with personnel deployed on major streets and intersections as a precautionary measure in wake of the two grenade attacks on Thursday.