SRINAGAR: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq has strongly condemned the actions of the authorities for once again placing him under house arrest and preventing him from attending a pre-scheduled condolence gathering for the late Mirwaiz Moulvi Muhammad Ahmad Shah Sahib, son of Muhaajir-e-Millat Mirwaiz Moulana Muhammad Yusuf Shah (RA) and brother-in-law of Shaheed-e-Millat Mirwaiz Molvi Farooq (RA).
This gathering was to take place at the family’s ancestral home, Mirwaiz Manzil in Rajouri Kadal, followed by a prayer in absentia (Nimaz-e-Jinaza) at the Central Jamia Masjid in Srinagar for the deceased.
In a statement, Mirwaiz expressed great disappointment that he was barred from participating in the condolence assembly for a prominent figure and family patriarch, whose passing was widely mourned. “People from all over the valley wanted to express their condolences. However, the administration not only closed the historic Mirwaiz Manzil but also locked down the Central Jamia Masjid, preventing the absentia funeral prayer,” he said. “In fact, officials of the Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid were informed that if a prayer in absentia took place, an FIR would be lodged by the authorities.”
Mirwaiz said the J&K administration’s behavior not only constitutes a deprivation of his personal freedom but has also deeply hurt the sentiments of the thousands of people who wished to express their condolences and solidarity during this time of grief.
He further questioned the validity of the Lieutenant Governor’s frequent claims of creating a “Naya Kashmir”, asserting that such claims are hollow when the basic human right to mourn collectively is suppressed and religious rites for the deceased are banned.