Holi namaz row: This time Holi and Zuma are falling on the same day on Friday (March 14). The administration does not want to leave any deficiency due to the prayers of Jumme (Friday) on the day of Holi. In this sequence, in view of the festival of Holi, it has been announced to offer prayers in all the mosques of Ayodhya, the city of Lord Ram after two o’clock in the afternoon. Mohammad Hanif, an important cleric of Ayodhya, has released extensive guidelines for Friday prayers. It said that in view of the festival of Holi, the prayers of on Friday (Zuma) will be performed in all the mosques of Ayodhya after two in the afternoon.
Hanif, chairman of the committee of Masjid Sarai in Ayodhya, told PTI that keeping in mind the festival of Holi, the time of prayer will be changed. Hanif said, “Keeping in mind the time of Holi festival, we have instructed all the mosques to offer prayers after two o’clock in the afternoon, because the prayers of Jumme can be read till 4:30 pm.”
As part of an attempt to promote communal harmony, Hanif, the ‘Amir’ of Tabligi Jamaat Markaj in Ayodhya, greeted people a very happy Holi. He said, “We wish our Hindu brothers a very happy Holi. We join their happiness and stand with them in celebration.”
Hanif said, “I have also urged all members of the Muslim community to show patience and generosity during Holi. If someone applies them, they should smile and answer and say ‘Holi Mubarak’ with a sense of love and respect.”
Local people praised
He said that this is not the first time that Holi and Zuma have come together. This has happened. He said that this is an opportunity for us to promote unity. Local businessman Saurabh Vikram Singh praised the step of change in the time of prayer.
He said, “In our city we never color our Muslim brothers because we understand the importance of maintaining peace. The feeling of cooperation always remains and whenever Holi and Zuma come together, the celebration passes in a peaceful and cordial manner.”
The administration took these big steps
Ayodhya District Magistrate (DM) Chandra Vijay Singh informed about the steps taken for the security arrangements for the festival. He said that Holika Dahan would be allowed to be done only at traditional sites. “To ensure safety and prevent any untoward incident, Holika Dahan will be done only at established places. It has been banned at new places,” Singh said.
He said that a control room has been set up to deal with any emergency. DM told PTI, “We are also deploying police personnel at all Holika Dahan sites to maintain the system. The administration is cautious, especially due to the holy month of Ramadan. To ensure peaceful festival, peace committee meetings are being held with religious leaders and prominent members in cities and villages to ensure peaceful festival.”