Srinagar, Nov 06 (KNS):Anjuman-e-Auqaaf and Imam-e-Hai of Jamia Masjid Srinagar on Friday urged Centre Govt, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to immediately release Kashmir’s head priest Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who continues to remain under house detention since August 5, 2019.
According to Kashmir News Service (KNS), while addressing Friday congregational prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid here, Sayeed Ahmad Naqshbandi populary known as Imam-e-Hai in this sermon said that since last year the chief priest Mirwaiz Umar Farooq is under house confinement and not able to venture out of his house so that he could perform his religious duties.
“Mirwaiz is not only a political leader but a religious preacher as well. Confining him under four walls tantamount to direct interference into the religious affairs”, Imam-e-Hai said.
He asserted that while not allowing him to address people on Friday’s and other sacred events including Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW), sentiments of majority community stand hurt badly. He appealed Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha led administration to revoke the house detention order of Mirwaiz and order his immediate release so that he can perform his religious duties.
Meanwhile soon after the culmination of Friday prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid, members of Anjuman-e-Auqaf Jamai Masjid, Managing Body of Kashmir’s spiritual centre, who were joined by scores of worshippers, staged peaceful protest outside Jamia and demanded immediate release of Mirwaiz from house detention.
Pertinently authorities of Jammu and Kashmir detained hundreds of mainstream and pro-freedom leaders and activist’s days before New Delhi abolished special status of J&K under Article 370 and 35(A). Those detained including three former chief ministers of J&K including – Dr Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti – who however have been released after remaining under detention for months. (KNS)