Srinagar: Thousands of devotees who thronged to Hazratbal Shrine had to face tough time due to ‘mismanagement’ and ‘lackadaisical’ approach of wakf board members. Even Imam of the Shrine criticised the board in his friday sermon.
People who had thronged to shrine for friday prayers had to shift from one place to other after huge rush of devotees to the friday prayers.
“We usually hold prayers such as these at glass bagh however wakf members tried to hold such a huge congregation in lawns of shrine which was expected to fail,” an octogenarian devotee told INS.
As soon the crowd swelled the Imam was left with no choice but to announce another place to hold friday prayers.
“The friday prayers were to be held on 2 pm but not before 2;20pm Azan was given,” another devotee said.
Not only were the devotees irked but the Imam of the shrine Syed Ahmad farooqi trained all guns towards Wakf board and accused them of playing with sentiments of people.
“For generations together we have lead prayers here. Sher e Kashmir would himself lay down carpets in lawns for devotees but these wakf board people are good for nothing. they take huge salaries but they have made mess of every thing,” Farooqi said in his sermon.
The devotees were furious after the loud speakers were silent while sermon was being delivered and many devotees alleged that the mike was deliberately cut as the ‘imam was speaking reality of wakf people’. Pertinent to mention,
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti week earlier visited AsarShariefHazratbal and oversaw the arrangements made for the devotees at the Dargah. The Chief Minister took on the spot review of the arrangements put in place by J&K Muslim Waqf Board and the divisional administration including Police, PDD, PHE, SMC, Traffic Police, Health Departments for the purpose.
“Its for the first time such thing of shifting khutba place at the eleventh hour has happened in the shrine,” wakf board official wishing anonymity told INS, adding that the board has shown ‘disregard for CM’s orders of making arrangements for the Eid Milad’.
