SRINAGAR: The head of Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid Srinagar, Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq, who has been kept under “illegal and arbitrary” house arrest by the authorities since 5 August 2019, has not been able to perform the important religious duty of Friday prayers for the 198th consecutive week besides not being able to carry out his official duties due to his prolonged detention, the Auqaf said.
In a statement issued here, Anjuman Auqaf strongly protested against the nearly four-year-long detention of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir and barring him from preaching from the pulpit of the historic Central Jama Masjid Srinagar for 198 consecutive Friday prayers, terming it regrettable and condemnable in every respect.
Even today, a large number of people who had come from the city, villages and towns to offer Friday prayer at the Jama Masjid Srinagar had to return deeply disappointed because of the absence of Mirwaiz, it said, adding that the public and the leaders of religious, milli, social and political organisations are unable to understand why despite continuous appeals the top religious leader of Kashmir continues to be under house arrest and why they are restrictions being imposed on his peaceful activities,.
The Anjuman hoped that Mirwaiz Umar Farooq would be released before the holy days of Hajj and the festive occasion of Eid-ul-Adha “so that he would be able to resume his duties of Qaal Allah Wa Qaala Rasool (SAW) – the responsibility the Institution of Mirwaiz enjoins upon him”, the statement said.

  Kashmir 370, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq

KR Desk