Yume-e-Dua observed countrywide
By Adnan Rafique

ISLAMABAD—People on Friday offered special prayers for the earthquake victims in the country.
The special prayers were held in response to President General Pervez Musharraf’s address to nation, in which, he had urged the people to offer prayers for earthquake victims on Friday observing as “Yume-e-Dua”.
President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz also offered prayers for earthquake victims.They sympathized with the bereaved families and prayed that Allah Almighty may rest the departed souls in eternal peace.
They also prayed for the survivors who lost their homes and their near and dear ones in the earthquake.
On appeal of President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, people throughout the country offered prayers for the victims of the earthquake.
Khateeb and Imams urged the people in the Juma Congregations “Khutba” to forge unity and face the natural calamity with courage and solidarity.
The people prayed to Allah Almighty to grant them courage to bear this irreparable loss with fortitude. They also prayed that departed souls may rest in eternal peace and patience to the heirs.
They prayed that Allah may save us from natural calamities, and provide resources to meet the challenge.
Zeeshan Mirza adds from Karachi: Special prayers were offered during the Friday congregations for those who lost their lives in the recent earthquake in northern parts of the country as well as Azad Kashmir. Appeal to this effect was made by President General Pervez Musharraf in his Wednesday’s address to the nation over radio and television.
The faithfuls during the Friday congregations prayed to Allah Almighty to rest those in eternal peace who lost their lives in the earthquake.
They also prayed for grant of courage and fortitude to those who lost their near and dear ones to bear this irreparable loss.
Prayers were also offered on the occasion for the early recovery of those who sustained injuries as a result of the earthquake.
On the appeal of President General Pervez Musharraf people observed Friday as Youm-e-Dua (day of prayer).
In all mosques, big and small, after Juma prayers special Dua was offered for the safety of the country from natural calamities like the October 8 devastating earthquake that razed cities, towns and villages to the ground within seconds.
According to an estimate some 25000 people have been killed in the fatal tremors of 7.6 magnitude while some 2.5 million souls have been rendered homeless in Azad Kashmir, NWFP and northern areas.
The prayer leaders in the mosques prayed to Allah Almighty to save the nation from further tragedy of the sort and scale. They also offered Fateha for the deceased victims.
The Imams appealed to the people to donate cash and goods for providing succour to the quake-hit people, who are in dire need of tents, blankets, quilts, warm clothes to ward off cold and edibles to survive. The injured and ailing survivors also need instant medical assistance.
The prayer leaders requested the people to donate generously for their brethren in distress and agony. They also asked young men to rush to the affected regions to work as volunteers.
Meanwhile, people continued to donate essential goods at makeshift relief camps spread all over the city. So far some 30 trucks have been despatched from Multan for the quake affectees.
The district government, social welfare department, Edhi Foundation, philanthropists, NGOs, political parties and even some newspaper managements have erected relief camps to collect donations in cash and kind for the quake victims.
People in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Friday offered special prayers for thousands of people who died following earthquake in Azad Kashmir and Hazara Division.
The special prayers were held in response to President General Pervez Musharraf’s address to nation, in which, he had asked the people to offer prayers for earthquake victims.
The people sympathised with the bereaved families and prayed that Allah Almighty may rest the departed souls in eternal peace.
They also prayed for the survivors who have lost their homes and their near ones.