Jamia Masjid lock down on Jumma-tul-Vida
Authorities on Friday disallowed Jumma-tul-Vida prayers in Kashmir’s Grand Mosque, Jamia Masjid by imposing severe restrictions, with historians saying that it has happening for the first after Dogra rule
All roads leading to the grand mosque were sealed since early morning. All the entry points were sealed and nobody was allowed to move.
The authorities had decided to impose restriction in old city parts after Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) had called for post noon protest on Friday against the civilian killings.
With historians saying it is for the ‘first time’ that Jumma-tul-Vida prayers have not been allowed in Jamia Masjid after Dogra rule.
“Even in my life time, I don’t remember any instance where special prayers on this day were not allowed,” said Zareef Ahmad Zareef, a noted historian and writer.
While giving the historical background of the event, Zareef said that there used to be a huge congregation that would start from Gojwara and would end near Nowhatta police station. Zareef condemned the action from the government of not allowing the grand congregation on Friday, and termed it as an “open interference in religious affairs.”
Many religious organizations and scholars have condemned the governments action and have said that such interference in religious matters is unacceptable.
Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman, while condemning the imposition of restriction and lockdown of Jami Masjid on Jumma-tul-Vida, said that it is for the first time in the living memory of people that Jamia Masjid Srinagar was closed on the most important last Friday of the holiest month of Ramadan.
“It is for the first time in the living memory of people that Jamia Masjid Srinagar, the religious Centre of the Muslims of the valley has been locked down and barred to people, on a day when people of the valley wait for a whole year to offer prayers here on the most important last Friday of the holiest month of Ramadan, as a means of seeking mercy and forgiveness from the almighty,” Mirwaiz said according to a statement issued here.
Strongly condemning this act and imposition of curfew and restrictions on the occasion of Jumma-Tul-Vida by the ruling regime, Mirwaiz said such anti-Muslim and oppressive moves now come as no surprise to the people of Kashmir, who each day are subject to various forms of human right violations and abuse which include infringement upon their religious rights, all of which is the hallmark of being under occupation.
Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Geelani also denounced the sealing of the historic Jamia Masjid, restrictions and placing resistance leadership under house arrest on Jumma-tul-Vida.
According to the statement issued here, Geelani said, “It is unacceptable and unjustified.”
He said that the local administration is practically nonexistent while as those sitting in Nagpur rule the roost. Geelani who continues to be under house arrest since past several years, blamed authorities for waging war against people.
KV Correspondent
