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Srinagar, April 30 (KMS): In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid Srinagar has condemned the authorities for disallowing prayers at the historic mosque on the blessed occasion of Jumatul Wida, terming it extremely sad and unfortunate. Shab-e-Qadr prayers were also not allowed at the grand mosque.
The Anjuman in a statement said on the blessed occasions of Shab-e-Qadr and Jumatul Wida, people from nook and corner of the Kashmir Valley throng the Jamia Masjid Srinagar to offer prayers, seek spiritual elevation and benefit from the sermon of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who although is under arbitrary house arrest since 5 August 2019. However, unfortunately, the authorities once again demonstrated their dictatorship and not only interfered in religious affairs but also hurt the religious sentiments of the people, it said.
The statement said that people were outraged over the regrettable practice of repeatedly closing the historic Jamia Masjid by the authorities on various pretexts. The people are expressing strong resentment over such behaviour of the administration because the Jamia Masjid is being time and again closed under a well-thought-out conspiracy to weaken its centrality, it said.
Meanwhile, Imams and Khateebs of mosques, shrines and imambargahs across the Valley expressed deep regret over the ban on Shab-e-Qadr and Jumatul Wida prayers at the Jamia Masjid Srinagar and the three-year-long detention of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and strongly condemned this dictatorial attitude of the authorities.
On the other hand, the Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid Srinagar also announced that as per Islamic tradition Eid-ul-Fitr prayers would be offered at the historic Eidgah in Srinagar at 9.30 am (inshallah). It urged the people to participate in the Ijtima in large numbers to express unity and maintain discipline.
“People are urged to bring prayer mats (Jai Namaz) along. In case of rain or bad weather, Eid namaaz will be offered at the Jamia Masjid. The timings for namaaz will remain the same,” reads the statement issued by the Anjuman.
