Srinagar: Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid Srinagar has termed the continuous house arrest of its head Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq for nearly four years as “illegal, arbitrary, inhumane and undemocratic”.
Terming the incarceration as extremely sad, the Anjuman in a statement said that today Mirwaiz has been barred from offering the 192nd consecutive Friday prayer.
Mirwaiz has been barred from performing important religious duties like Friday prayer, due to which the pulpit of the historic Central Jama Masjid Srinagar continues to remain silent, the statement said, adding that he is not allowed to carry out his religious responsibilities as the Mirwaiz of Kashmir, which is reprehensible.
The Anjuman said such behaviour of the administration is hurting the religious sentiments of the people, saying that every Friday, a large number of people, including the elderly, women and youth, come to the Jama Masjid – which is the largest place of worship in Kashmir – to listen to the sermon of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir but they feel disappointed on not seeing their beloved religious leader at the grand mosque.
The authorities must shun their “aggressive” stance regarding Mirwaiz, the Anjuman said.

  Kashmir 370, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq

KR Desk