LUCKNOW: At least 22 mosques in Lucknow have decided to alter the timing for Juma namaz (Friday prayer) in view of Holi celebrations.
Juma namaz along with the 'khutba' (discourse) held on the day, is offered after 12.30 pm at most of the mosques.
However, in view of the advisory issued by the Islamic Centre of India (ICI), at least 22 mosques in the city have decided to change the time and hold Friday prayers after 1.30 pm.
These include some of the renowned mosques including the Juma Masjid at Aishbagh Eidgah, the Ek Minara Masjid at Akbari gate, Masjid Shahmina Shah and Masjid Chowk.
While a list of the old and new Juma namaz timings was shared by the ICI, most mosques decided to commence the prayer after 1.30 pm. At the Jama Masjid Eidgah, the time has been shifted to 2 pm from 12.45 pm. Similarly, Juma namaz will be held at 1.30 pm at Masjid Shahmina Shah instead of the regular 1 pm.
Earlier, head of ICI and Imam of the Aishbagh Eidgah, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali, had issued an advisory asking mosques to alter the Juma namaz timings so as to maintain peace and amity by avoiding any untoward incident on Holi.
The advisory also asked Muslim men to offer Juma prayers at their neighbourhood mosques on Holi day rather than venturing out to a mosque farther away from home. With Shab-e-Barat also falling on the same day, clerics have also advised Muslims to visit mosques and the graves of their loved ones only after Holi celebration is over.
During a similar situation around four years back when Holi and Shab-e-Barat were celebrated on the same day, Muslims were asked to exercise caution in celebration of the festival and peace was maintained.
