SRINAGAR: Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid said that once again the gates of Jama Masjid Srinagar were forcibly closed by the authorities on the auspicious occasion of Shab Baraat while Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was put under house arrest, hence disallowing congregational prayers on Shab-e- Baraat at Jama Masjid and Shab Khawni.
Strongly condemning the authorities’ action, Anjuman said that in these days of Shaban preceding the holy month of Ramzan, when mosques are reverberating with prayers and religious ceremonies, the central Jama Masjid, the most important religious centre of the valley is silenced. It used to resound with supplications, duas and Majlis e Waaz and Tableegh and people would throng it in thousands to participate.
Anjuman said it is extremely unfortunate and people are extremely upset and heartbroken at how the authorities are dealing with their central religious place and their religious head.
“Such blatant violation of the religious rights of people and interference in their religious affairs is unacceptable. Anjuman strongly protests it,” the Auqaf said.