Srinagar: In a significant display of unity and religious adherence, residents of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir celebrated the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) synchronously with Pakistan, overcoming India’s alleged attempts to sow division by creating confusion over the holiday’s date.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the Indian government did not issue a clear directive about the holiday for Eid Milad-un-Nabi, leading to widespread uncertainty. This lack of clarity seemed aimed at causing people to celebrate the event on Monday, following India’s calendar, rather than the actual date on Tuesday as observed in Pakistan. This discrepancy left government employees and educational institutions in a state of confusion over whether to remain open or closed.
Despite these challenges, the people of Kashmir showed resilience. Government employee Ghulam Jeelani expressed the frustration shared by many, noting that they had to rely on unofficial sources like the J and K Bank calendar to determine the observance of the holiday. Amid this uncertainty, schools and other institutions faced inconsistent operations, with some closing and others remaining open.
Nevertheless, the spirit of Eid Milad-un-Nabi was palpable across Kashmir as thousands of devotees gathered at the Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar for night-long prayers, and many more participated in religious congregations throughout the region. The shrine was vividly adorned with lights, flags, and buntings, creating a festive and reverent atmosphere. Devotees also had the opportunity to view the holy relic of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) during pre-dawn prayers.
The celebrations across Kashmir not only reaffirmed the region’s deep-seated faith and cultural ties with Pakistan but also promoted messages of peace, love, and empathy, core to Islamic teachings.