Markets abuzz ahead of Eid in Kashmir
All markets including the traditional Sunday market was abuzz with shoppers who thronged to make purchase of different items ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr being celebrated on Tuesday subject to the appearance of the crescent.
The crescent moon has not been sighted in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, Kashmir’s Grand Mufti, Nasir-ul-Islam said.
He he said that the Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated across the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday as the Shawal month was not sighted this evening.
“The Muslims will have to fast one more day as the Shawal moon has not been sighted this evening. Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday,” he said.
Markets in Kashmir valley are wearing a festive look with people in hordes thronging shopping centers to shop for their favourite products including bakery products, mutton, garments on Sunday increased manifold.
Eid-ul-Fitr is likely to be celebrated in Jammu and Kashmir either on Tuesday subject to appearance of the crescent.
All markets were open today in view of the festival and people in good numbers were seen visiting the traditional Sunday Market at Tourist Reception Centre, Residency road, Regal Chowk, Lal Chowk, Amirakadal and Hari Singh High Street (HSHS) to make purchases of their choicest products.
Heavy rush of people were also seen at the mutton shops, garment sellers and bakery shops making purchases ahead of the festival.
This Eid would be celebrated without the fear of COVID after two years, though the authorities have asked people to adhere to protocols to reduce the number of infection cases.
Throughout the day people from all age groups could be seen carrying bags with items ranging from kids garments to fashionable men’s and women’s wear and bakery items.
People were seen in long queues at Bakery and sweet shops in Srinagar.
The shopkeepers at fashionable Residency road and historic Lal Chowk had displayed colorful dressing items that could lure the customers.
Kids were seen in queues waiting to decorate their hands with “Hina” at Gonikan market in Srinagar.
Meanwhile, an official spokesman said different enforcement wings of Food Safety Organization, Legal Metrology Department and Food & Civil Supplies Department conducted major market checking during which teams inspected quality of meat and other eatables available for consumption in markets besides overcharging by traders.
During the course of action, the emphasis was given to check the meat, chicken sellers, bakery manufacturing Units and fruit sellers.
While taking strict action against erring traders, FSO sealed 24 bakery manufacturing and their production was stopped due to violation of Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSA) for insanitary conditions.
An amount of Rs.7, 58, 500 was recovered from various Food business Operators against the violating different sections of FSSA by officers in various districts of Kashmir division.
Besides, 389 establishments of meat, chicken sellers were inspected with the assistance of Veterinary surgeons of the Animal and Sheep husbandry department to check the quality of meat.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir administration will not allow Eid prayers to be held at Eidgah ground or at historic Jamia Masjid in old city after 7.00 am on Eid, claimed the Masjid management committee on Sunday.
In a statement, Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid said that police and civil authorities called them on Saturday to convey that Eid prayers will not be allowed at Eidgah Srinagar and at Jamia Masjid Srinagar if not held before 7.00 am.
According to the Anjuman, the authorities have put several conditions on holding prayers at Eidgah or Jamia Masjid and sought a written undertaking from the management in this regard.
The Anjuman on Saturday had announced that Eid prayers will be held at Eidgah grounds at 9.30 am. In case of inclement weather, the prayers were planned an Jamia masjid at per past practice.
The Anjuman expressed surprise that while authorities have no problem with allowing Eid prayers at Hazratbal shrine at 10.30 am, they are putting conditions on holding prayers at Eidgah.
“The Anjuman Auqaf members are dismayed that after disallowing Muslims of the valley to pray at Jamia Masjid on Juma-tul-vida and Shab-e-Qadr, authorities are now not allowing Muslims to offer Eid prayers in the open at Eidgah, which is in tradition of the Prophet’s sunnah,” the management said.
It said they had approached the government run Waqf Board but the body responded by saying that they could not facilitate prayer arrangements unless authorities gave permission for it.
