Srinagar Kashmir’s chief cleric and Hurriyat Conference chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, on Monday said that authorities barred Eid prayers at Srinagar’s Eidgah and historic Jamia Masjid, while he was placed under house detention.
Traditionally Muslims offer Eid prayers at Eidgah, but the government over the last many years has barred people from offering prayers there.
I am deeply pained and strongly condemn the authorities decision to once again deny the Muslims of Kashmir the basic right to offer Eid prayers at Eidgah and Jama Masjid which have been closed down and I have been detained at home,” Mirwaiz said in a post on X.
“Even at the peak of militancy during 1990’s Eid prayers were offered at Eidgah, so now when huge claims of “normalcy” are made everyday by the authorities, why are Muslims being kept away from their religious places and practices? What is the agenda? Is the collective identify of Kashmiri Muslims a threat to the rulers ?,” he asked.
He emphasized that Eidgah and Jama Masjid belong to the people of Kashmir, and barring them from accessing these sacred spaces on Eid reflects an “oppressive and authoritarian approach that prevails in Kashmir today.
On Sunday, the management committee of the Jamia Masjid- Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid (AAJM) had announced that the Eid prayers would be held at Srinagar’s historic Eidgah at 10 am. The Auquaf had said that in case of inclement weather, the prayers would be offered at Srinagar’s grand mosque.
J&K Waqaf Board chairperson and BJP leader Darakshan Andrabi Sunday evening said that due to ongoing construction works, Eid prayers would not be offered at Eidgah ground in downtown Srinagar.
District authorities and the police have not issued any statements regarding the restrictions on Eid prayers at Jamia Masjid and Eidgah. The Jammu and Kashmir Police operate directly under the command of the Lt Governor, not an elected government.
In the last few days authorities barred prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar on Shab-e-Qadr, one of the most auspicious nights of the Islamic calendar. The restrictions also extend to Friday congregational prayers on Jumat-ul-Vida, the final Friday of the holy month of Ramzan. On Jumat-ul-Vida Mirwaiz was placed under house detention on Friday.
