Srinagar, Mar 13: The Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid on Friday condemned the frequent closure of the historic mosque in Srinagar’s old city on Juma’atul Vida over the past seven years.
“The authorities once again locked the gates of the historic mosque from all sides and placed Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq under house arrest, preventing him from delivering the sermon and leading the prayers on this sacred occasion,” the Anjuman said in a statement here.
The Anjuman noted that tens of thousands of devotees traditionally gather at the Jama Masjid from towns and villages of the valley for Juma’atul Vida, the last Friday of the fasting month of Ramzan.
The management expressed its anguish that for the seventh consecutive year, Muslims were denied the opportunity to offer prayers at the valley’s central congregational mosque.
The Anjuman said that such restrictions hurt the religious sentiments and “amount to denying worshippers their fundamental right to pray”.
It further said the approach of the authorities has resulted in the arbitrary closure of the Jama Masjid multiple times throughout the year. According to management, this reflects ongoing insecurity and an unjustified policy of restricting religious practices.
Reacting to the development, Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir said the gates of the Jama Masjid were closed to the faithful who gather in thousands for prayers and supplications on the last Friday of the holy month.
He said for the seventh consecutive year, the administration has denied Muslims the right to offer prayers at the Jama Masjid on this day.
Comparing the situation to restrictions elsewhere, the Mirwaiz said that just as Israel has shut the gates of Al-Aqsa mosque during Ramzan, “a similar painful reality is being witnessed here. Our hearts bleed.” He added that it is “deeply shameful” that houses of worship are being locked to the faithful.
