Mirwaiz again barred from offering Friday prayers: Auqaf

SRINAGAR — Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid Srinagar has strongly condemned the continuous disallowing Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq from delivering sermons and leading Friday prayers at the historic central Jamia Masjid by the state administration, without any reasonable justification.

The Auqaf in a statement issued to the news agency KNO said Mirwaiz was placed under house arrest on the holy day of Mehraj-ul-Alam as well as today, the second Friday of Mehraj-ul-Alam.

The administration is deliberately and without assigning any reason preventing Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir from performing his official and religious duties, it said, adding that such actions are hurting the religious sentiments and emotions of the Muslims here.

These arbitrary actions by the authorities are a disregard for the religious rights and sentiments of Muslims. By denying permission to practice one’s religion, which is a basic human and fundamental right, the authorities are making a mockery of their lofty claims and statements.

The Auqaf has expressed hope that the administration would immediately shun the undemocratic policy of disallowing Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from performing his duties on Fridays and free him from the shackles of unlawful house arrest so that he fulfils his official and religious responsibilities.