Jumatul Wida being observed today

Faithful will observe Jumatul Wida, the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, with traditional religious zeal and reverence on September 3 (today). Although, the people are preparing to observe Jumatul Wida with a usual spiritual fervor, but if the Shawal moon is not sighted on September 9, the last Friday of Ramadan will fall on September 10, providing another opportunity to seek blessings of Almighty Allah. Millions of fasting people will offer special Friday prayers at mosques and prayer grounds, while elaborate security arrangements have been made to ensure their safety. The Friday prayer will be offered at 1430 hours at Faisal Mosque. Allama Sahibzada Sajid-ur-Rehman would deliver sermon before the prayer. Jumatul Wida has a special significance since it is a prelude to the departure of holy month of Ramadan and considered the harbinger of the end of the showering of divine blessings that characterize the holy month. Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) also stressed the sanctity of this day. In their sermons, Ulema will stress upon Muslims to purify their souls through greater dedication to prayer and seek forgiveness of Almighty Allah. Ulema and religious leaders will urge greater Muslim unity and call for making joint struggle for emancipation of Muslim world. They will also emphasis the importance of maintaining unity and sectarian harmony, asking people to beware of miscreants and anti-state elements who want to create animosity and hatred among followers of different schools of thought. They will call for greater unity among Muslims to counter present-day challenges. On the occasion, special prayers will be offered for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan, unity of Muslims the world over and their emancipation. Prayers will also be offered for independence of Kashmir, Palestine and other parts of world where Muslims are engaged in the struggle for their right to self-determination. They will pray for the success of Muslims’ freedom movements from the yoke of occupation forces. Last Friday of the holy month is also observed as ‘Youm al-Quds’ (the Al-Gudus Day) in Pakistan to express support and solidarity with oppressed Muslims of Palestine. Rallies in support of Palestinians are held in different parts of the country to mark the day. In 1979, Iranian spiritual leader Imam Khomeini had urged the Muslims all over the world to consecrate the last Friday of the holy month as Quds Day in support of the legitimate rights of the Muslim people of Palestine.