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.         
The day is also observed as Youm al-Quds in the country 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.
Youm-ul-Quds is observed annually on the last Friday of Ramazan to oppose Israel’s control of Jerusalem. Islamabad Capital Territory Police had planned foolproof security arrangements for Youmul Quds with deployment of commandos to avert any untoward incident.
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.                                       
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 characterize the holy month.
Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) also stressed the sanctity of the day. 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 with illuminations and bunting 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.                       
Imam 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 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.