Anjuman-i- Auqaf Jama Masjid Srinagar today once again expressed its deep regret over the fact that for the last three and a half years, the authorities have illegally and arbitrarily kept its head Mirwaiz Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq under house detention due to which he has not been able to perform the important duty of performing the Jummah prayers at the historic central grand mosque for the consecutive 180th Friday.

Condemning this dictatorial behavior of the authorities, the Anjuman in a statement termed it as a sheer interference in religion, freedom of expression, and a serious violation of human rights.

“It is a sad chapter in the recent history of Kashmir that the mimbar-o-mihrab (pulpit) of the historic Jama Masjid – which is the great place of worship and the centre of spirituality for the Muslims of Kashmir – has been continuously silent for the past three and a half years,” it said.

The worshipers and devotees coming from the cities and villages of the valley are being deprived of benefiting from the sermons of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir, which is causing great disappointment among the people, the Auqaf said.

The Anjuman emphasized that in view of the arrival of Rajab-ul-Murajjab, which is the month of the great miracle of the ascension of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), the administration should ensure the immediate release of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir so that he can fulfill his duties towards the people that have been continuing for centuries.

The post Mirwaiz completes 180 consecutive Fridays under detention, Auqaf demands his release first appeared on Kashmir News trust.

Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid Srinagar has expressed serious concern over the fact that the pulpit of the largest place of worship and spiritual guidance in Kashmir – the historical Central Jama Masjid Srinagar has been silent for the past three and a half years because the authorities have imposed unjustified and unlawful restrictions on Anjuman chief and Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq and his peaceful activities since August 5, 2019.

The Anjuman in a statement said that due to his illegal and arbitrary detention, Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir is unable to perform his religious duties and responsibilities of preaching the divine message of Quran and Sunnah and reforming society which is facing a plethora of challenges in the form of rising social evils.

“Today is the 176th consecutive Friday when Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir was neither allowed to perform his official responsibilities and important duty of Friday prayer and delivering a sermon at the Jama Masjid Srinagar nor have been restrictions on him lifted,” the Anjuman Auqaf said.

The Anjuman said that due to this un-Islamic behavior of the authorities, a large number of people, who come to the Central Jama Masjid Srinagar to perform Friday prayers and benefit from the insightful sermons of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir, have to return deeply disappointed due to the absence of their beloved leader, which is highly regrettable and condemnable. Such behaviour of the authorities is unacceptable for them in every way, it said.

Meanwhile, Jama Masjid’s octogenarian Imam and Khateeb, Moulana Ahmad Saeed Naqshbandi has also expressed deep regret over the continued detention of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir and his absence from the historical grand mosque. Imam Hai Moulana Ahmed Saeed Naqshbandi during his sermon today announced the decision of Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid Srinagar that Moulvi Altaf Hussain Shah will perform the duties of Deputy Imam (Naib Imam-i- Jummah) on Fridays in his absence. [KNT]

The post Kashmir Mirwaiz barred from 176 consecutive Friday prayers: Anjuman first appeared on Kashmir News trust.