The authorities on Friday disallowed congregational prayers at the Jamia Masjid in Srinagar.
A spokesman of the Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid, a body that runs the affairs of the mosque, said Friday morning, the magistrate and senior police officials came to the mosque and informed them that Friday prayers would not be allowed.
“It is deeply regrettable and reprehensible that the Muslims of Kashmir were once again not allowed by the authorities to offer Friday prayers at the historic Central Jama Masjid in Srinagar,” the statement issued by Anjuman Auqaf said.
The Anjuman condemned the practice of repeatedly barring Muslims from performing important religious duties such as Friday prayers at the largest place of worship in Kashmir.
Meanwhile, the resolution passed on Thursday by Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema(MMU)- am apex body of Kashmiri scholars- was read out at Friday congregational prayers today and local Imams in major mosques and shrines across the valley once again condemned the administration’s policy of not allowing Friday prayers at the Central Jamia Masjid Srinagar.
“They also raised voice against the three-year detention of the MMU patron and the top-most religious leader of Kashmir, Mirwaiz Moulvi Umar Farooq and demanded his unconditional release before Eid,” the statement said.
On Thursday, the MMU had expressed anguish over the “arbitrary and illegal detention” of its patron Mirwaiz Farooq and urged the government to release him.