Srinagar, Aug 7: The Urs -e-Char Yaar (RA) – the four rightly guided caliphs was observed on Saturday with religious fervour.
Thousands of devotees on this occasion thronged Hazratbal shrine here to have the glimpse of the holy relic of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), which was displayed after every prayers.
The devotees which included men, women and children followed the COVID19 guidelines. Around 15,000 devotees offered paid obeisance at the Hazratbal shrine throughout the day. Authorities had made elaborate arrangements at the shrine for the devotees.
Special arrangements had been put in place by Traffic Police for smooth movement of people to and from the shrine. The event is observed every year on 27 Zil Hajj. “The volunteers were also helping devotees throughout the day. They also provided free facemask to devotees who did not cover their face,” said a Wakf Board official.
He claimed that COVID19 safety guidelines were followed in letter and spirit.
“We had made hand sanitizers available for devotees, social distancing was being maintained and the premise was also being regularly sanitized,” he added.
He added the Wakf Board took this decision to encourage devotes to spent lesser time at shrine in view of pandemic.
“Our strategy was to allow minimum people inside at a time. We are thankful to people for extending cooperation,” he said.
Durood and NaathKhawani were performed throughout the day while special prayers were made for peace and progress of the J&K.
“The holy relic was displayed after every Nimaz. In view of pandemic, lesser number of devotees thronged the shrine throughout the day. It was around 15,000 devotees which otherwise goes upto 50,000 on this occasion,” said Peer Maqsood-ul-Haq, administrator of the Hazratbal shrine.
“The day at the shrine was observed as Urs Char Yaar (RA) and annual Urs of Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA),” he informed.
Special prayers were also offered at AsarShariefKalashpora and Jinab Sahib Soura shrines.
In their sermon, the speakers highlighted the importance of the Urs. On the occasion, holy relics were also displayed.
‘Char Yaar’ (Four Friends) – is used to refer to Rashidun Caliphate —the rightly guided Caliphs or the righteous Caliphs who ruled after Prophet Muhammad (SAW). These are: Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA), Hazrat Umar (RA), Hazrat Usman (RA) and Hazrat Ali (RA). Divisional administration had made arrangements of security and other necessary facilities.
Similarly, the occasion was also observed at other Masjid and Shrines across the J&K while some religious organisation held special programmes to commemorate the day.