ISLAMABAD: Jumatul Wida, the last Friday of the holy month of Ramazan, would be observed across the country on August 17 with traditional religious zeal and reverence.

Jumatul Wida has a special significance since it is a prelude to the departure of holy month of Ramazan and considered the harbinger of the end of the showering of divine blessings that characterise the holy month.

Millions of fasting people will offer Friday prayers at across country mosques and prayer grounds.

In capital, the biggest gathering of Jumatul Wida will be held at Faisal Mosque. All large and small mosques across the country have been tastefully decorated and mosque administrations have made special arrangements to accommodate the extraordinary number of worshippers and to provide them with extra space outside mosques.

Special security arrangements have been made to ensure safety of people offering prayers inside mosques.

Imams and Khateebs in their sermons will stress upon Muslims to purify their souls through greater dedication to prayer, seek forgiveness of Allah Almighty and being kind to fellow beings.

Ulema and religious leaders will urge greater Muslim unity and call for making joint struggle for emancipation of the 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.

The day is also observed as Youm al-Quds by Muslims worldwide to express support and solidarity with oppressed Muslims of Palestine and to oppose Israel’s control of Jerusalem. Rallies are held in support of Palestinians to mark the day.

Islamabad Capital Territory Police has planned foolproof security arrangements for Youm-ul-Quds with deployment of commandos to avert any untoward incident.