In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the authorities on Friday disallowed the congregational Juma prayers at historic Jamia Masjid in Sri-nagar and other major mosques of the territory.
Eyewitnesses said that the prayers were not of-fered as authorities had locked the main gate of the mosque with Indian armed forces personnel de-ployed in front of it.
Last Friday, Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid an-nounced that congregational prayers will be allowed at the Jamia Masjid.
The last Friday prayers were offered four months after the masjid was completely closed for the religious gatherings.
Meanwhile, Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid Sri-nagar in a statement expressed surprise and resent-ment over the closure of central religious places including the Jamia Masjid Srinagar, Asare-e-Sharif Dargah Hazratbal, Khanqah-e-Muala and Astaan Aalia Makhdoom Sb (RA) for Friday prayers by the authorities under the guise of COVID-19, terming this attitude of the rulers as extremely regrettable and appalling.—KMS
