Friday prayers after 2 pm to accommodate Holi in Ayodhya, says chief cleric

Ayodhya (UP): Friday prayers in all mosques across Ayodhya will be offered after 2 pm in view of Holi celebrations this week, a prominent cleric of the city said.

Ayodhya Chief Cleric Mohammad Haneef issued instructions on Wednesday for this week's Juma Namaz -- which is also the second Friday of the month of Ramzan.

Namaz timings are being discussed by authorities in many places as Friday prayers coincide with Holi celebrations on March 14.

Ayodhya District Magistrate (DM) Chandra Vijay Singh said adequate security arrangements have been made for Holi and peace committee meetings are also being held to avoid any communal tension.

Speaking to PTI, Mohammad Haneef, who is also the president of Ayodhya's central mosque, Masjid Sarai, said the timing for Juma prayers would be adjusted to accommodate Holi celebrations.

"Considering the timing of the Holi festival, we have directed all mosques to offer Juma prayers after 2 pm as the window for Juma prayers remains open until 4.30 pm," Haneef said.

"I have also urged all members of the Muslim community to be patient and generous during Holi. If anyone applies colour to them, they should respond with a smile and say 'Holi Mubarak' in the spirit of love and respect."

"This is not the first time that Holi and Juma have coincided. This happens frequently and it is an opportunity for us to foster unity," he said.

Haneef, also the 'ameer' of the Tablighi Markaz in Ayodhya, extended heartfelt Holi greetings to people. "We wish our Hindu brothers the very best for Holi. We share in their joy and stand with them in celebration," he said.

Ayodhya's District Magistrate (DM), Chandra Vijay Singh, said police personnel have been stationed at all Holika Dahan sites to maintain order. Holika dahan will be celebrated on March 13.

He said that Holika Dahan will only be permitted at established traditional sites, not new ones to "ensure safety and prevent any untoward incidents.

"A control room has been set up to handle any emergencies. We are also stationing police personnel at all Holika Dahan sites to maintain order. The administration remains vigilant, especially as the holy month of Ramzan continues. Peace committee meetings are being held with religious leaders and prominent community members in both towns and villages to ensure peaceful celebrations," the DM said.

Muslim clerics in Kannauj district of UP have also announced that Friday prayers will be held after 2 pm in mosques.

Earlier a circle officer in UP's Sambhal kicked up a row by saying that those who feel uncomfortable with Holi colours should stay indoors, as the festival comes only once a year whereas Juma namaz takes place 52 times in a year.

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath supported the remarks of the Sambhal police officer, saying the official may have spoken as a "pehelwan", but what he said was correct.

Ahead of the festival, many mosques in the state have shifted the Friday prayer timings on Holi.

The imam of Lucknow Eidgah has asked the mosques to hold the Juma Namaz at 2 pm that day. He also advised Muslims to offer prayers at a nearby mosque, instead of going to a distant one.

In Sambhal, it has been decided that Hindus would celebrate Holi till 2.30 pm on March 14 and Muslims would offer namaz after 2.30 pm, according to a senior police official.

The chief mufti of Aligarh, Khalid Hameed, urged Muslims to take all precautions to ensure that the festival of Holi passes off peacefully in a cordial atmosphere.