Lucknow, Mar 28 (PTI) The final Friday prayers of this Ramzan were offered peacefully in mosques across Uttar Pradesh, with heightened security arrangements in place, government officials said.
Worshippers at some places also wore black armband as they responded to a call by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) to protest the amendments in the Waqf law.
Security measures were intensified across the state in anticipation of the Friday namaz, with additional police forces deployed in the sensitive areas of every district. Uttar Pradesh Police chief Prashant Kumar also monitored the situation across the districts from the state police headquarters in Lucknow.
In Lucknow, Alvida Namaz was conducted peacefully, with tight security ensuring a smooth event. No untoward incident was reported.
In Sambhal, which has been tense since the violence on November 24 last year, the prayers were also offered peacefully.
Sambhal District Magistrate (DM) Rajender Pensiya spoke to journalists, attributing the peaceful conduct of the prayers to strong public support.
He noted that members of the peace committee had deployed volunteers who worked in cooperation with the police and administration, ensuring a calm and orderly prayer service.
Worshippers wore black armbands during Alvida Juma prayers in Meerut as the prayers went off peacefully with a large number of devotees gathering at Shahi Jama Masjid in an atmosphere of harmony.
A heavy police force and RAF personnel were deployed around the mosque to maintain security.
Police officials requested them to remove the armbands, leading to minor arguments between officers and some devotees.
City Superintendent of Police Ayush Vikram Singh confirmed that the prayers were conducted peacefully, with no reports of tension or incidents from any part of the city. Speaking to the media, Qari Shafiqur Rahman raised concerns over restrictions on Eid prayers, questioning why prayers lasting just a few minutes on roads were being opposed, while large gatherings during the Maha Kumbh had caused significant traffic disruptions. He also pointed out that authorities had warned of legal action and the seizure of passports for violating prayer-related restrictions.
City Qazi Jainus Salikin emphasized that Islam promotes both worship and good conduct, stating, "This is why our Prophet Muhammad is regarded as the greatest among the world's most influential personalities."
In Farrukhabad district also, some worshippers wore the black armbands during prayers.
In Amethi, the Friday prayers were held peacefully in 367 mosques across the district amid tight security.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Aparna Rajat Kaushik said sensitive areas were monitored via CCTV and additional police forces were stationed at key locations, including the Jama Masjid in Amethi, Jagdishpur and Jais.
In Mirzapur, the Alvida Jumma Namaz was observed peacefully as well. Additional SP Nitesh Kumar said no untoward incident was reported from the district.
He said the mosque at Imambara, one of the largest in the district, saw the usual number of worshippers. Namaz at the mosque began at 12:30 pm. The officer added that tight security measures were in place around the mosque.
Prayers were also offered across Ayodhya Friday afternoon amid tight security, with police teams ensuring vigilance throughout the region.
Inspector General (IG) of Ayodhya, Praveen Kumar, said that the prayers were conducted peacefully in all districts of the Ayodhya division, with no reports of any untoward incidents.
Chief Imam of Ayodhya Mufti Ziyauddin and the president of the Ayodhya unit of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, Maulana Baadshah Khan, led the prayers.
"We prayed for peace and harmony in the country and the world," said Maulana Baadshah Khan. He also expressed gratitude to the administration for the arrangements and facilities provided on the occasion of Alvida Juma.
In Mathura, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Shailesh Kumar Pandey said that the prayers were completed smoothly and peacefully throughout the district.
He further mentioned that special security arrangements were in place at Shahi Eidgah, where the Alvida Juma prayers were conducted without any disruption.
At the Shahi Eidgah, located near the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi complex, prayers were offered under tight police security. A large contingent of police personnel and PAC (Provincial Armed Constabulary) forces were deployed at the site.
To ensure a peaceful atmosphere, meetings with peace and security committees were conducted in mixed-population areas a week prior to the event. These efforts were aimed at instilling confidence among residents and eliminating any sense of insecurity, Pandey added.
Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar closely monitored the security arrangements for Alvida Namaz from the state police headquarters' control room in Lucknow.
During the monitoring, the DGP noted that the prayers were conducted peacefully across the state.
Senior officials, including the Additional Director General (ADG) of Law and Order Amitabh Yash, were also present at the control room.