In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the Anjuman Auqaf of Jamia Masjid Srinagar has deplored that even on the Friday following Eid Milad-un-Nabi, the blessed birth of the holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the authorities did not allow the Muslims to offer Friday congregational prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid.
The Anjuman in a statement in Srinagar expressed resentment over the continued detention of its head, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who is under house arrest for the last 26 months, due to which he is unable to carry out his peaceful activities as a social, religious and political leader.
The authorities forcibly closed the grand mosque for Friday prayers before the Juma Azaan thereby disallowing Muslims from fulfilling their religious obligations, it said adding this is a sheer interference in religious affairs and such actions hurt the sentiments of Muslims.
It also expressed outrage over the dictatorial attitude of the authorities and condemned it in strong terms.
Meanwhile, a resolution was passed by Jammu and Kashmir Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) against the continued ban on Friday prayers at the Srinagar Jaima Masjid and was ratified by the public during the Juma prayer gatherings, today, in mosques, shrines, imambargahs and other major places of worship across IIOJK.
The resolution which was overwhelmingly supported by the people read, “This public gathering is deeply concerned and anguished over the closure of the largest mosque in Kashmir, the historic Central Jamia Masjid Srinagar, which the authorities have kept closed since August 2021. —KMS
