The chief cleric of Kashmir, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, on Saturday announced that he has been detained at home, while Srinagar’s Jama Masjid has been locked down for worshippers for seven straight years for Eid prayers.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed anguish over the denial of permission for Eid prayers at the Jama Masjid, asserting that restrictions at the city’s largest mosque raise questions about the normalcy claimed by security agencies.
The Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid strongly condemned continued restrictions on Eid congregational prayers at the Jama Masjid, stating that for the seventh consecutive year, Muslims of the Valley have been deprived of offering Eid prayers at one of the most revered places of worship.
The Auqaf termed the situation as deeply unfortunate and unjustified, stating that such measures hurt the religious sentiments of millions and undermine the fundamental right to practise one’s faith freely.
Mirwaiz posted pictures of the locked Jama Masjid and wrote on X: “For the seventh consecutive year, amid restrictions and house arrests, Eid prayers remain barred at Jama Masjid. A day of celebration turned to grief and denial for Muslims. It’s an irony of our times that those who lock our mosques and Eidgahs are the first to wish us Eid Mubarak!”
Mirwaiz was expected to deliver Eid sermons from the pulpit of the Jama Masjid. The management of the Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid had announced congregational prayers at 10 am, with the Eid sermons to be delivered by Mirwaiz at 9 am.
Early in the morning, people gathered at mosques and Eidgahs across Jammu and Kashmir to offer congregational prayers amid festivities. The biggest congregational gathering in Srinagar was held at the Hazratbal mosque on the banks of Dal Lake. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, along with his father and National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah, joined the prayers there.
The Chief Minister said he was “saddened” that worshippers were not allowed to offer prayers at the centuries-old mosque in the city centre.
CM Omar Abdullah told reporters, “Peacefully, Eid prayers have been offered across Jammu and Kashmir. Unfortunately, once again, Eid prayers have not been allowed at the historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar. I feel very saddened by this.”
He said there was a disconnect between the ground situation and the assessment of law enforcement agencies.
“The security and law enforcement officials repeatedly claim that the situation is normal. But what kind of normalcy is this? Eid prayers are not allowed at the largest mosque in Srinagar,” he said.
The Chief Minister expressed hope that the authorities would revisit such decisions. “I hope that such decisions will be changed and people will be allowed to offer their prayers freely,” he said.
The CM also referred to the impact of rising prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and other petroleum products, saying the economic burden was affecting households across the country.
“We are seeing the effects of rising LPG and oil prices all over the country. Tomorrow, prices may further rise. How much negative impact will it have on our country? It will definitely have an impact,” he said.
He added that the issue had both an economic and a sentimental dimension. “First of all, it will have an impact on sentiments. It will have a sentimental impact on the entire Muslim community. Along with that, it will have an impact on the whole country. Our sentiments are hurt. But for those who find it difficult to run their homes because of LPG and diesel, it will have an impact on them as well,” he said.
Omar called for an end to the conflict. “That is why I said that we should have only one prayer from us today—that this unjust war should end as soon as possible, and that peace should emerge again,” he added.
Ruling National Conference MP, Aga Ruhullah, also condemned the locking of the Jama Masjid and detention of Mirwaiz.
Ruhullah wrote on X, “The police state has once again disallowed @MirwaizKashmir from performing Friday prayers and giving the Friday sermon at the Jama Masjid in Srinagar. The BJP regime, which is in control of this police state, is so consumed by servility that they now fear Muslims supplicating to Allah.”