The closure of the gates of Jamia Masjid, Srinagar, by Indian authorities during the auspicious occasion of Shab Baraat last night has sparked outrage among thousands of Kashmiri devotees who were deprived of offering prayers inside the masjid.
According to Kashmir Media Service, senior APHC leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who also heads the Anjuman Auqaf, was placed under house arrest and was prevented from leading congregational prayers in Srinagar’s historical masjid.
Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid, Srinagar, in a strongly-worded statement, denounced the closure of the mosque and the house arrest of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Shab-e-Baraat.
The Anjuman expressed deep condemnation, emphasizing the significance of the days of Shaban preceding the holy month of Ramazan.
Describing the authorities’ actions as extremely unfortunate, the Anjuman highlighted the community’s distress at the treatment of their central religious place and religious head. They decried the blatant violation of the people’s religious rights and interference in their religious affairs as unacceptable, pledging a strong protest.—KMS
