No Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid
Srinagar, Sep 21 (KNS): Authorities on Friday detained scores of mourners after they tried to take out an Ashoora procession on the eve of 10th Muharram at Srinagar’s Lal Chowk, even as major Ashura processions were taken out peacefully in Srinagar, Budgam, Pattan and others areas of the Valley.
The district administration Srinagar had imposed strict restrictions in Srinagar areas falling under the jurisdiction of Rainawari, Nowhatta, Khanyar, M.R.Gunj and Safa Kadal while as partial restrictions were imposed in the uptown Kothibagh area.
Locals said that police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were deployed on roads in strength to thwart any Muharram processions in these areas.
Meanwhile, scores of mourners managed to reach near Maisuma Chowk and tried to carry out a procession on the eve of Ashoora, witnesses said.
However, police swung into action and detained scores of Shia Muslims who were seen wearing black clothes or badges, raising slogans in favour Karbala martyrs.
Meanwhile, a huge Muharram procession was carried out in Gulshan Bagh Bota Kadal to Zadibal area today in which thousands of mourners participated and remembered sacrifices of Karbala martyrs.
Similarly, Muharram processions were also carried out in Budgam district led by Anjuman-e-Shari Shian president and senior pro-freedom leader, Aga Syed Hassan, in Pattan and Delina areas of Baramulla district, Wularhama Pahalgam, Sofi Pora, Halkha, Chaturgund in South Kashmir today in which thousands of mourners took part and paid tributes to Karbala martyrs.
The Muharram procession was also carried out in Paneer Tral in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
It is worth to mention here that the 10th Muharram is observed as Youm-e-Ashoora when more than 1,400 years ago, Imam Hussain (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was martyred along with his family members and companions in Karbala, Iraq.
Meanwhile, amid restrictions in Srinagar parts, the Friday congregational prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid was disallowed by the authorities.
Locals said that all the four gates of the Jamia Masjid remained closed throughout the day as the strict restrictions were imposed in Old city here to prevent Muharram processions.
Besides, Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman and Jamia Masjid’s head cleric was also placed under house detention.
Mirwaiz in his tweeted said that he was disallowed to address a majlis-e-tableeg to pay tributes to Imam Hussian (AS) and other Karbala martyrs.
“Curbs curfew & House Arrests continue, even on #Aashura ! No Friday prayers allowed at many mosques in the city including #JamaMasjid by the rulers. Even majlis-e-tableeg to pay tributes to #ImamHussian(AS) and #MartyrsOf Karbala which I was going to address,barred!” Mirwaiz tweeted. (KNS)