Mirwaiz decries curbs on Friday prayers, slams global silence on Israeli barbarism in Gaza
Srinagar: Senior leader of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, has strongly condemned the repeated restrictions and house detention imposed on him by the authorities in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), terming them a blatant interference in the religious affairs of Kashmiri Muslims.
According to Kashmir Media Service, addressing the Friday congregation at Srinagar’s historic Jamia Masjid, Mirwaiz said that after being kept under house arrest for the past two consecutive Fridays, he was allowed to attend the grand mosque today. “After two Fridays, I was allowed to come to Jama Masjid. Repeatedly preventing me from coming to Jama Masjid on Fridays is completely uncalled for. It is a direct interference in the religious rights of people, which alienates them further, serving no other purpose,” he said.
He termed the repeated detentions “deeply regrettable,” and said such tactics would achieve nothing for the occupation authorities nor alter historical realities. He reiterated his consistent demand that the administration stop such measures and allow people to exercise their basic rights freely, including the performance of religious duties.
Speaking on the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Mirwaiz said, “While we gather here peacefully, our hearts are heavy with grief for our oppressed brothers and sisters in Gaza, who are facing an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe and starvation. Innocent civilians, especially children, are being relentlessly bombarded even as they search for food and safety. Starvation is being used as a weapon of war.” He added that innocent civilians, especially children, are being relentlessly bombarded by Israeli forces while simply seeking food and shelter.
Strongly condemning the Israeli barbarism, he added, “The silence and inaction of the global community is pathetic. The world’s failure to prevent these atrocities, to stop the killing of children and civilians in real time, will remain a stain on the conscience of humanity.”
