J&K govt. declares 3-day holiday for Id in Kashmir

The J&K government on Tuesday (May 26, 2026) increased Id holidays up to three days this year, even as confusion over the moon sightings have caused confusion over holidays.

“Couple of days ago, the BJP government in West Bengal downsized Eid ul Zuha holidays from two days to one. The NC government expanded Id holidays from two days to three. The credit goes to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for this. God forbid, if BJP had come to power here also, people would have to rush to their offices with their qurbani baskets in their hands,” said NC spokesman Imran Nabi Dar.

The J&K government announced special casual leave on May 29, which is the third Id in the Union Territory (UT). In a separate order, the Directorate of School Education Kashmir also announced a special holiday on May 29, 2026 across the Kashmir division.

J&K is observing Id on May 27 instead of May 28 in the rest of the country. The decision to celebrate Id on May 27 came after Kashmir grand mufti Nas-r-ul-Islam sighted the crescent. “We will celebrate Id on May 27. I appeal to people to celebrate Id with simplicity and responsibility. While performing sacrifice, animal waste, hides and other remains should not be thrown on roads or public places. Such acts are a grave wrongdoing and negatively affect society,” said Mr. Islam, in his Id message. He asked Muslims to “reach out to underprivileged families, neighbours, relatives or within the locality”. 

Contrary to Mr. Islam’s decision, the J&K High Court decided to declare Id holiday on May 28, the date when the festival is being celebrated in the rest of the country. The J&K Waqf Board, which issued Id timing for mosques and shrines in J&K, also did not mention Id date in their schedule.

Kashmir chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who heads the Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid, decided to perform Id prayers at historic Eidgah Srinagar on May 27. However, Id prayers are being disallowed due to security reasons at the venue for many years. 

“Id prayers shall be offered at Srinagar’s Eidgah at 9:30 a.m. on May 27. I will deliver the Id sermon from 8:30 a.m. We hope the authorities will not create any unnecessary hurdles, and allow the smooth conduct of Id prayers. Sadly, the administration repeatedly follows a practice of keeping people waiting till the last moment and then disallowing Id prayers either at Eidgah or at Jamia Masjid, which hurts the religious sentiments of the people and is a blatant violation of our fundamental religious rights and freedoms,” said the Mirwaiz.

Meanwhile, J&K Lieutenant Governor and CM Abdullah greeted people on the occasion. “Id-ul-Adha celebrates the spirit of sacrifice, unity, and brotherhood. The sacred occasion serves as a reminder for humanity to embrace the eternal values of love, compassion and forgiveness,” said Mr. Sinha, in his Id message.

CM Abdullah expressed hope that the festival would further strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, communal harmony and mutual respect among people. He urged people to remember the underprivileged and needy during the celebrations and share the joy of the occasion with them.