In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, emotional scenes were witnessed as the historic Jamia Masjid, Srinagar, was thrown open for devotees, today, for Juma prayers after almost 30 weeks.
Anjuman Auqaf of the Jamia Masjid said the Friday sermon was given by Imam Hai, Syed Ahmed Naqshbandi, as Mirwaiz Umar Farooq continued to remain under illegal house detention.
“People in large numbers came to the mosque and there was a huge gathering today,” a member of Ajuman Auqaf told the media.
Ghulam Qadir Rather, a devotee, said that it was after a long gap that he came to the grand mosque to offer Friday prayers.
“Over these years, the closure of central masjid hurt our religious sentiments badly,” he said, adding that unfortunately he couldn’t see Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on the pulpit of Jamia Masjid, today.
The Mirwaiz has been under illegal house arrest since August 5, 2019, when the Modi-led fascist Indian government repealed the special status of IIOJK. Emotional scenes were witnessed at the Masjid as a large number of men, women and children were seen kissing the pillars of the masjid. “This is the place where our prayers get heard,” an elderly woman said amid tears.
Meanwhile, the occupation authorities removed Indian forces’ personnel from outside the house of martyred APHC leader Syed Ali Gilani in Srinagar. Syed Ali Gilani had passed away during house detention at his Hyderpora residence on September 01, last year.
Earlier, only family members and relatives were allowed to enter the house of the martyred leader, however, the Indian forces’ personnel have now been removed completely. On the other hand, the grave of martyred leader is still remains under siege of the occupation forces.—KMS
