KUPWARA, DEC 21: For the first time, Mehfil-e-Shabeena (night long recitation of holy Quran)is being performed here. Encouraged by the change in ground situation afterthe Centre's unilateral ceasefire, the villagers in this border districthave organised the three-night-long special prayers which will begin onSaturday evening at Jamia Masjid, Dudwan in the town.Moulana Syeed Ahmad Qasmi, Principal, Darul Aloom Qasmia, Lal Bazar, said he does not recall any such mehfil having been organised in Kashmir before. He said it is an encouraging occasion and people will follow it at other places in the Valley as well.A large religious gathering during the night is also a departure from the threat and fear when people preferred to offer Ramzan prayers muchearlier than the scheduled time. Last year in all mosques across the Valley, the time for the evening prayers was changed after militants launched a series of suicidal attacks.Five `Qaries' (professional Quran reciters) will perform the specialprayers on roster. The event has been publicised by the managing committeeof the mosque which is expecting hundreds to turn up on the occasion.The committee has also made arrangements for free Iftar, dinner and `sehri'(food taken at dawn before observing fast). Dudwan is the birth place of world-known Islamic scholar Alama Anwar Shah Kashmiri, former vice chancellor of Darul Aloom Deoband, UP.Mehfil-e-Shabeena will be performed during the last three days of Ramzan.Each night, the `Qaries' will recite 10 paras of the holy book. Generally, one para of the Quran is recited by a `Qari' every evening of Ramzan.In Arabian countries and Pakistan, Mehfil-e-Shabeena is observed as an official function during the last three days of Ramzan. The State-run radio broadcasts the prayers live in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. In Pakistan, the prayers are direcly telecast from the Faisal Mosque, Islamabad.
