Scholars highlight Seerah, condemn Mirwaiz’s detention
SRINAGAR: On the occasion of the ongoing month of Rabiʿ al-Awwal, Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid Srinagar organized a solemn Majlis-e-Rahmat-ul-lil-Alameen (SAW) at the historic Jama Masjid, which saw a large congregation of devotees participating.
Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir, Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq, was scheduled to preside over the event. However, he was once again placed under house arrest by authorities, preventing him from fulfilling his religious and institutional responsibilities, Mirwaiz’s office said in a statement issued here.
The event was presided over by prominent scholar Maulana Mir Rahmatullah Qasmi, who was the guest of honor. Other speakers included Maulana Shaukat Hussain Keing and Maulana Shehzad Anwari Qasmi from Poonch. They emphasized various aspects of the life and message of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), stressing that in today’s turbulent times, humanity’s welfare depends on following the Prophet’s guidance.
In his presidential address, Maulana Qasmi highlighted that the root cause of the challenges facing the Muslim community is its distance from the Seerah and core Islamic teachings. He said that without returning to the true path of Islam, solutions to current crises remain elusive.
The scholars collectively condemned the detention of the Mirwaiz. Maulana Shaukat Hussain Keing presented a resolution denouncing the restrictions imposed on him, which was unanimously endorsed by participants. The resolution termed the action as undemocratic and an unjustified interference in religious affairs.
Meanwhile, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), expressed deep regret at being prevented from attending the Majlis. He remarked that, while political and human rights issues already persist, religious freedoms are increasingly being curtailed through repeated detentions, silencing voices, interference in matters like the installation of the Ashoka plaque at Hazratbal, tampering with the Muslim calendar, and hindering religious functions.
The Mirwaiz affirmed that despite such restrictions, the Jama Masjid pulpit will continue to speak out against interference in religious matters as well as injustices and disempowerment faced by the people of the region.