SRINAGAR: Thousands of Muslims across Jammu and Kashmir celebrated Eid-ul-Adha with traditional fervour and religious devotion on Sunday. From the early hours of the morning, worshippers assembled at mosques, shrines, and Eidgahs across the region to offer the special congregational Eid prayers marking the festival.
Eid Mubarak! Yet again, Kashmir wakes up to the sad reality: no Eid prayers at Eidgah, and Jama Masjid locked down — for the 7th straight year. I too have been detained at my home.
In a Muslim-majority region, Muslims are deprived of their fundamental right to pray — even on… pic.twitter.com/DFM1y0t9ce— Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) June 7, 2025
The largest gathering in the Kashmir Valley took place at the Hazratbal shrine, located on the banks of Dal Lake, where prominent religious and political leaders, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, joined the faithful in prayer. Eid-ul-Adha, observed on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic calendar, commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s readiness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God’s command, an act later replaced by the symbolic sacrifice of an animal.
However, the day’s celebrations were clouded by controversy in Srinagar’s historic Jamia Masjid, where, for the seventh consecutive year, Eid prayers were disallowed. The mosque remained shut for worshippers, and Valley’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was detained at his residence, preventing him from delivering the customary Eid sermon.
“Eid Mubarak! Yet again, Kashmir wakes up to the sad reality: no Eid prayers at Eidgah, and Jama Masjid locked down — for the 7th straight year. I too have been detained at my home,” Mirwaiz said in a message posted on X. “In a Muslim-majority region, Muslims are deprived of their fundamental right to pray — even on their most important religious occasion celebrated across the world! What a shame on those who rule over us, and on those elected by the people who choose to remain silent as our rights are trampled over, again and again.”
Despite the restrictions at Jamia, Eid prayers were held without incident at other major locations in the Valley and across Jammu, with security arrangements in place.
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha extended greetings on the occasion, stating, “Eid Mubarak! Greetings on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Adha. Let’s reiterate our resolve to strengthen the foundations of unity, harmony, and brotherhood, and work with love and compassion for the well-being of all. May this festival spread peace and bring prosperity to all.”
Chief Minister @OmarAbdullah offered Eid-ul-Adha prayers at the revered Dargah Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar. He was accompanied by his father, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, and his two sons marking the solemn occasion with spiritual reflection and communal unity. pic.twitter.com/TxIMyiw6B1
— DD NEWS SRINAGAR (@ddnewsSrinagar) June 7, 2025
Following the morning prayers, families across the region began the traditional animal sacrifices, which are expected to continue over the next two days. As in previous years, the faithful had brought a variety of animals — including goats, sheep, and camels — to be sacrificed by Islamic tradition.
Eid-ul-Adha celebrations will continue through Monday, as families host feasts, distribute meat to neighbours and the needy, and visit one another to exchange greetings — a practice rooted in the spirit of charity, compassion, and community.
