Srinagar
Kashmir’s headpriest Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Wednesday visited Khanqah-e-Moula in Old City Srinagar in the wake of midnight blaze at the Khanqah that left the main minaret completely damaged.
Mirwaiz expressed shock and sorrow over the damage caused to the shrine by the fire incident that took place at around 1:15 am in the midnight. Mirwaiz took stock of the damage caused to Kashmir’s venerated spiritual centre.
Mirwaiz was greeted by the Khudams and locals including men, women & youth as well, present at the Khanqah amid pro-Islam & pro-freedom slogans. The shrine management apprised Mirwaiz about the nature of damage inflicted on the shrine by the midnight blaze. Mirwaiz expressed relief that not much damage was caused to the shrine.
Speaking on the occasion, Mirwaiz praised the locals especially the youth for their alertness and quick action in dealing with the fire. He said it was because of their timely intervention that the fire was controlled well within time before it could engulf the entire wooden marvel.
Mirwaiz said that such incidents are also a signal to look inwards and seek repentance from the Almighty Allah.
Later Mirwaiz led a special repentance prayer during which emotional scenes were witnessed.
Mirwaiz laid stress on the Wakaf board asking it to take concrete measures in protecting Kashmir’s shrines and other religious places under it and called these spiritual places as priceless assets for the people of Kashmir, who have their emotional and religious attachments with these places since past many centuries.
