Head of Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid Srinagar, Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq was not allowed to perform his important religious duty of Jummah prayer and other official responsibilities at the historic central grand mosque even on the second Friday of the blessed month of Ramadan.

In a statement issued, Anjuman Auqaf strongly condemned this continuous anti-Islamic and anti-people action of the authorities and termed it highly regrettable.

“Today, its 188th Jummah since Mirwaiz has been under House arrest , the people who came in large numbers from various parts of the valley to offer Friday prayers and listen to the sermon of Mirwaiz-Kashmir at the Jama Masjid were not only severely disappointed, but also expressed strong resentment against the administration.”

Anjuman emphasised that Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir’s unjustified, illegal and arbitrary detention is continuing unabated and the people’s demand for his immediate and unconditional release is getting stronger with each passing day, but the authorities do not respect the public sentiments.

It urged the authorities to release Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir and allow him to fulfill his peaceful duties so that the people can benefit from his sermons from the pulpit and mihrab of the Jama Masjid in this holy month of Ramadan.

Anjuman also said that many worshipers who came to offer Friday prayer in the Jama Masjid again complained that the policemen took their mobile phones and ID cards and then allowed them to enter the grand mosque and asked them to collect it after prayers .

Anjuman condemned this behaviour and said that it looks like the authorities don’t want large congregations at the mosque, it urged the police officials not to harass the worshipers.