Srinagar: The Jammu Kashmir Civil Society Forum (JKCSF) has voiced its displeasure over the handling of religious holidays by authorities, specifically regarding the declaration of working days during significant Islamic observances.
According to Kashmir Media Service, JKCSF Chairman Abdul Qayoom Wani expressed frustration with the misalignment of the official calendar and attendance systems with the lunar Islamic calendar, which leads to confusion around the observance of holidays such as Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW). The latter is particularly contentious this year, as the government’s schedule erroneously lists September 16 as the holiday, whereas the correct date based on the lunar calendar is September 17.
Wani highlighted the challenges faced by the Muslim community, who find it difficult to engage in customary religious practices due to these administrative oversights. He also mentioned the cultural significance of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) in Srinagar, where devotees engage in special prayers and visit revered sites like Hazratbal.
The forum has called for an official inquiry into the failure to update holiday dates and is urging authorities to grant special casual leave on September 17 to allow for proper religious observance. They also emphasized the need for future measures to prevent such issues.