Srinagar: Coinciding with the International Al-Quds (Jerusalem) Day, rallies were held in various parts of the state on Friday where speakers denounced the continued occupation of the first Qibla of Muslims by the Zionist state of Israel.
Jumat-ul-Vida is observed annually as Yaum al-Quds to mobilize support for the liberation of Palestine and Muslim holy sites.
People took to streets after Friday prayers in at least dozen places in Srinagar, Baramulla and Budgam. Similar reports have come in from Kargil, Poonch and Jammu.
At several places protesters torched Israeli and US flags.
The biggest congregation was held at the historic grand mosque in the heart of the old city. Tens of thousands, including a large number of women, joined the special prayers there.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who also heads Hurriyat Conference, addressed the gathering and called for liberation of al-Aqsa.
A resolution was passed later which was endorsed by the gathering with slogans like Allah-u-Akbar and Long live Palestine and Down With Israel.
The resolution reads: On this day of Yaum-e-Kashmir and Yaum-al-Quds, this huge congregation wants to make it clear that illegal Israeli occupation of Masjid al-Aqsa and state sponsored terrorism in Kashmir is unacceptable. Therefore this gathering calls upon the international community to take meaningful steps to help Palestinians and Kashmiris in getting their political rights which they have been kept devoid off from past many decades. Hence, it would free the people of both the nations from their boundless sufferings and untold miseries unleashed by the Indian and Israeli authorities.
After prayers groups of youth took out rally and torched Israeli and US flags. The marchers were met with resistance by the riot police present there resulting in the clashes.
Police used pellet guns to disperse protesters.
Pitched battles were fought by youth and police at different places of city for hours.
Syed Ali Geelani and Shabir Ahmed Shah who also had called for observance of Al-Quds day were placed under house arrest and were not allowed to venture out.
In central Kashmirs Budgam district, mass rallies were taken out in Ompora, Nagam Chadoora, Main Chowk Budgam, Hyderpora and Khasahib soon after the congregational Friday prayers.
A rally was taken out from Lawaypora in Srinagar outskirts in this connection. Maulana Sibti Muhammad Shabir also led a march in Khanda locality of Pulwama.
Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, Mohammad Yaseen Malik addressed a gathering in Char-e-Sherief.
The Israeli regime is a tool in the hands of Zionists to control the Middle East and the entire world. Israel and the Zionist entity are against the preservation of all human rights and human dignity, he said adding that Israeli occupation of Bait-ul-Muqadas must end without any delay.
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