Srinagar- Authorities on Friday disallowed congregational prayers at historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar amid fears of pro-Palestine protests in response to Israel’s stepped-up bombing on the besieged Gaza Strip in retribution for Hamas attacks.
Anjuman Auqaf, the caretaker body of Jamia Masjid alleged that the administration besides closing Jamia Masjid for Friday congregational prayers placed the grand cleric of Kashmir, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq under house arrest at his residence in Nigeen.
A spokesman of Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid in a statement said that police locked the main gate of the mosque this morning and informed that Friday prayers will not be allowed today.
He said Mirwaiz, who was finally allowed to offer Friday prayers and deliver Friday sermon at Jamia Masjid after five years, has yet again been put under house arrest at his residence.
It may be in place to mention that the J&K administration allowed Mirwaiz to offer prayers and deliver Friday sermon at the grand mosque on 22nd September, first time since the Centre repealed the special constitutional position of the erstwhile state on August 5, 2019.
Security was stepped up in the Nowhatta area in the old city while police and paramilitary forces were deployed in strength around Jamia Masjid to prevent post Friday prayers.
Meanwhile, religious clerics at various mosques in Kashmir including Srinagar delivered Friday sermons over the ongoing assault by Israel which has so far left hundreds of innocent civilians including women and children killed in Gaza.
Pro-Palestine and anti-Israel protests were also held in Srinagar and Budgam districts of central Kashmir on Friday.
Jammu and Kashmir Sharie Shian led by Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi staged a protest outside Imambargah Budgam post Friday prayers, condemning what was termed as brutal assault on suppressed Palestinian people by Israel.
“We condemn in strong words the non-stop aggression by Israel in Gaza since Saturday last, we express solidarity with our Muslim brethren in the besieged Gaza strip and appeal to the Muslim world to unite against Israeli barbarism,” Mehdi said addressing protesters.
He also urged Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia to extend their unequivocal support to Palestine in this hour of distress and use their influence to mobilize the Muslim world against what is happening in Palestine.
Pro-Palestine protest was also held in Hassanabad locality in the old city after Friday prayers against the ongoing bombardment by Israel in Gaza. The protesters raised pro-Palestine and anti-Israel slogans on the occasion and vowed to continue their moral support to Palestine.
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