Srinagar, June 7 (JKNS): For the seventh consecutive year, authorities in Srinagar did not allow Eid-ul-Adha prayers at the historic Eidgah ground and Jamia Masjid in the old city of J&K's Summer Capital on Saturday.
The gates of Jamia Masjid were locked early in the morning, and police personnel were deployed outside to prevent entry.
Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid, the managing body of the grand mosque, expressed deep regret over the decision, calling it a repeated denial of the fundamental right to religious freedom in a Muslim-majority region.
Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq, who was also placed under house arrest, strongly condemned the move. Taking to social media platform X, he said: “Eid Mubarak! Yet again, Kashmir wakes up to the sad reality: no Eid prayers at Eidgah, and Jama Masjid locked down for the 7th straight year. I too have been detained at my home."
"In a Muslim-majority region, Muslims are deprived of their fundamental right to pray even on their most important religious occasion celebrated across the world!. What a shame on those who rule over us, and on those elected by the people who choose to remain silent as our rights are trampled over, again and again,” the post on "X" added.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who offered Eid prayers at Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar along with his father Dr. Farooq Abdullah and other family members, also expressed concern over the restrictions.
“While we are celebrating Eid, I am personally saddened that once again, permission was denied to offer prayers at Srinagar's iconic Jama Masjid,” Omar Abdullah told reporters after prayers. “I do not know the reasons behind these decisions, but we must learn to trust our people,” he added.
Referring to the peaceful protests held by Kashmiris after the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, the Chief Minister said that these are the same people who came out to peacefully protest against the Pahalgam terrorist attack. "One day, the government will have to place trust in its citizens.”
He also appealed to the administration to reconsider its policy and allow congregational prayers at the historic mosque during future religious occasions.(KNS)