Jamia Masjid Srinagar locked on Laila-tul-Qadr, Mirwaiz placed under house arrest
Srinagar: In blatant violation of religious freedom, Indian authorities in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir once again blocked Muslims from offering prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid on Laila-tul-Qadr.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid in a statement strongly condemned the continued closure of the mosque, noting that thousands of worshippers from across the Kashmir Valley traditionally gather at the Jamia Masjid for collective prayers and supplications on this sacred night. The authorities locked all entrances to the mosque and placed the Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, under house arrest, preventing him from leading the prayers and delivering the sermon on the occasion.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq described the situation as reminiscent of Israeli restrictions on Masjid al-Aqsa, saying, “Our hearts cry tears of blood,” as the faithful are once again barred from observing their sacred rituals.
The All Parties Hurriyat Conference in a statement said that this marks the seventh consecutive year that the Modi regime has denied Muslims access to Jamia Masjid on this significant occasion. The authorities’ actions, the APHC said, not only violate the religious sentiments of the faithful but also strip worshippers of their fundamental right to pray in Allah’s house.
APHC spokesman Advocate Abdul Rashid Minhas said the insensitivity of the authorities has deprived tens of thousands of Muslims, who for generations have visited Jamia Masjid on this night, of spiritual solace and worship, causing widespread grief and dismay.
The ban extends beyond Laila-tul-Qadr. Authorities under the New Delhi-installed Lieutenant Governor had previously barred Jumat-ul-Vida prayers at Jamia Masjid, underscoring a systematic Hindutva policy to interfere in the religious affairs of Kashmiri Muslims.
