Riyaz ul Khaliq
SRINAGAR
It is quite unusual tonight as majority of Srinagar markets are back to business! Yes it is summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir which is witnessing unusual business as late as 12 in the mid-night.
The scenes in Residency Road, Jahangir Chowk, Bemina, HMT, Fateh Kadal, Jamia Masjid, Qamarwari and Soura areas are replicate pre-1990s Kashmir.
The emerging late night scenes in Srinagar found their roots in announcement of Eid-ul-Fitr being celebrated tomorrow. As soon as Pakistan’s Central Hilal Committee based in Lahore declared that Shawal moon has been sighted across major cities of Pakistan, announcements through Masjids started making rounds in Kashmir that 1437 Ramzan came to an end today and faithful will celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on Wednesday.
As one drove from Polo View, famous Jee Enn Sons Bakery point near Banquet Hall had reopened by 10:30 PM. The Eid announcement was made at 10:09 Pm (IST) by Central Hilal Committee Lahore.
Tension and confusion made rounds as no one across sub-continent could decide about Eid-ul-Fitr up to 10:09 Pm (IST). Although, Delhi Jamia Masjid Shah-i-Imam had announced that Eid-ul-Fitr would be celebrated on Thursday but he could not explain whether Shawal moon was sighted or not and on which basis he declared so.
In Kashmir, almost half of the population had finished half of Tarawiah (long Isha prayers in Ramzan) that announcements were made that Eid is tomorrow. The Tarawiah finished with it and faithful hugged each other with exchanging Eid greetings.
Major business men had reopened their shops at Residency road while Makkah Market near Biscoe School too was open.
Soon, private vehicles made beeline on M A Road and Jahangir Chowk was abuzz with Srinagarities with men and boys seeking Bakery shops. At Shakti sweets, it was usual rush that people had to wait for their turn.
At Batamaloo, Taveras and Sumos were heard inviting passengers. The journey was short and when enquired, one Sumo driver said he got a group of youths from Soura who were shopping in Lal Chowk.
At Bemina, it was near to traffic jam near Power Receiving Station as cars were busy taking rounds and people were seen rushing towards departmental stores.
If anyone has not bought vegetables, please drive to Parimpora. Whole of the vegetable market is open and cars are stand by as few women were seen arguing with shopkeepers over rates.
Similar scenes were witnessed at HMT crossing and at Mustafabad as Mughal Darbar promoters were nearly able to manage the peoples’ demands.
From Old city, the grand Jamia Masjid market came back to life as people who finished their Isha came for shopping.
Eid-ul-Fitr 2016 revived memories of pre-1990s. “I am back to 1980s,” Ab Majid Khan, 50, an Old City resident said, “I was in twenties then and would come to Regal Cinema to watch movies. I like late night shows and would return home by 3 AM.”
The confusion whether it was Eid on Wednesday or not was created because Saudi Arabia too is celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr tomorrow. It will after almost thirty years that Muslims across world will be celebrating this Eid together.
Otherwise, Saudi Arabia would celebrate Eid one day ahead of South and South-East Asia.
