South Asia Human Rights Journalist Association

Srinagar April 14:  The Hindutva BJP/RSS regime locked the historical Jamia Masjid in Srinagar from outside and prevented people from offering “Jumat-ul-Wida” prayers, today, in Nowhatta area of the Srinagar city in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The Modi regime has banned the Friday congregational prayers today at the Kashmir’s largest mosque, Jamia Masjid, in Srinagar and have directed the mosque management to lock the gates of the mosque and not allow people inside for prayers.
 
The regime also kept senior APHC leader, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, under house arrest and once again disallowed him to offer Juma prayers. The Mirwaiz has been under house detention since August 05, 2019. APHC in a statement in Srinagar has strongly denounced the authorities for locking the Jamia Masjid and keeping the Mirwaiz under house arrest.

“District Magistrate and police officials visited Jama Masjid at 9.30 am and asked the management to lock the gates of the masjid as administration had decided that Jummat-ul-vida (last Friday of Ramadhan) prayers will not be allowed at the masjid,” Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid said.
Anjuman condemned the directive, causing great distress to lakhs of Muslims who traditionally come from all parts of Kashmir to offer prayers on the last Friday of Ramadan.
“At Jamia Masjid offering prayers on last Friday of Ramadhan has great religious significance,” Anjuman said.
In February last, Kashmir’s largest mosque Jamia Masjid reopened after remaining largely shut for congregational prayers for over two and half years since August 2019.
Located at the Nowhatta locality in Srinagar, the 14th-century architectural marvel is the biggest cultural and religious centre in Kashmir.
It was closed for congregational prayers following the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019.
At least 40,000 people can pray at one time in the mosque.
 A resolution compiled by the Jammu & Kashmir Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema was read by the ulema, khateebs, preachers and imams in large gatherings, mosques, monasteries, imambarahs and shrines today
The resolution is as follows:
·         This gathering, expresses gratitude to Allah (SWT) for blessing us with the opportunity to fast, worship and hold night prayers in this holy month of Ramadan. It appeals to the people that their welfare and well-being lie in staying connected with religion and emphasises upon them that the Eid-ul-Fitr should be celebrated with simplicity in line with Islamic values and traditions. And on this occasion, the poor and downtrodden sections of society should be taken care of at every level.
·         This gathering strongly condemns Israel's occupation of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the recent aggression, brutality and violence committed by Israeli forces against the Palestinian people during the holy month of Ramadan.
·         This gathering urges the Islamic world, including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), to ensure steps are taken to restore the first Qibla so that Muslims can peacefully perform their religious duties in the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
·         This gathering expresses deep concern over the increasing  incidents of unislamic  and shameful incidents in Kashmir and strongly appeals to all sections of society to accelerate their efforts for the reformation of Kashmiri society in all aspects and play their positive role in that regard
·         This gathering raises a voice of protest against the prolonged illegal and arbitrary detention of  the Ameer  of Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq, who has been under house arrest since 5 August 2019, and urges for his immediate release in view of important Islamic events like Shab-e-Qadr and Eid-ul-Fitr, so that he can fulfill his religious  duties.