Authorities on Saturday locked down historic Jama masjid and Eidgah in Srinagar, disallowing Muslims to perform Eid prayers for the 7th straight year.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who delivers sermons and leads the prayer in the old town mosque, was once again placed under house arrest.
“In a Muslim-majority region, Muslims are deprived of their fundamental right to pray — even on their most important religious occasion celebrated across the world!” Mirwaiz wrote on X. Since 2019, the Jama Masjid has consistently remained closed for Eid prayers.
Kashmir’s chief cleric also shared photos of police outside his house, confirming his house arrest. On Friday, Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid Srinagar announced Eid-ul-Adha congregation will be held at the historic Jama Masjid, while confirming that authorities once again did not grant permission for holding the Eid congregation at the Eidgah Srinagar.
But on Saturday monring, the historic mosque was found locked.
“What a shame on those who rule over us, and on those elected by the people who choose to remain silent as our rights are trampled over, again and again.”
Earlier this year, on March 31, the mosque was locked by authorities on Eid-ul-Fitr, while Mirwaiz was also put under house arrest. Authorities have also closed the mosque on occasions of important days, including Fridays, Shab-e-Qadr, and Jummat-ul-Vida.
On Friday, Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir visited the residence of the late Zubair Ahmed Bhat at Ali Kadal to personally offer condolences and prayers. Bhat’s death after being detained by Delhi Police has triggered outrage in the valley. Jamia Masjid in Srinagar downtown has been central for political activism in Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party leader Iltija Mufti, on Thursday, alleged that Bhat was killed after torture and discrimination by the Delhi Police and a hospital in the national capital.
This story was originally published in maktoobmedia.com.
