Srinagar: A peaceful protest was led by members of Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid outside the historic Jamia Masjid Srinagar after Friday prayers demanding immediate release of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who continues to be under arbitrary house arrest for more than 15 months .
Anjuman Auqaf vice President and Khateeb-o-Imam Jamia Masjid Jinab Ahmad Syed Naqshbandi while delivering the Friday sermon termed the prevailing situation in J&K as extremely grave and unfortunate.
He said that in this modern era, it is a big tragedy that the Mirwaiz of Jammu & Kashmir Mirwaiz is being kept under illegal and arbitrary house detention for the last one-and-a-half year due to which not only the pulpit of the central Jama Masjid is silent but the Mirwaiz is also unable to carry out his responsibilities of preaching.
Syed Naqshbandi said that in this blessed month of Rabi-ul-Awwal which marks the birth of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW), people especially the Aashiqaan-e-Rasool (SAW) come to Jama Masjid Srinagar from nook and corner of the Valley to listen to the Mirwaiz about the Seerat-e-Rasool (SAW). Now, with the continuous house detention of the Mirwaiz, all this could not happen. This is not only extremely unfortunate and condemnable but also hurts the sentiments of masses that deem grave human rights violation and undue interference in the religious affairs, he added.
After the prayer, the activists of Anjuman along with people carried out a peaceful protest demonstration holding placards and banners demanding immediate release of the Mirwaiz so that he can resume his responsibility of centuries-old tradition of Waz-o-tableeg.

KR Desk