Srinagar, May 24 (KNS): Strongly condemning the heavy deployment of forces around the historic Jamia Masjid in down town Srinagar every Friday, Anjuman-e-Auqaf Jamia Masjid maintained that presence of hundreds of forces at all nook and corners of the grand Masjid instills fear among the worshipers, and causes harassment to them. Anjuman-e-Auqaf stated that it is because of such a huge deployment of forces around Jamia Masjid that peace is disrupted every Friday and it also becomes a major reason for inconvenience caused to worshipers who come to Jamia Masjid after travelling from long distances.
The Anjuman asked the State authorities to refrain from deployment of forces around Jamia Masjid and turning the areas around it into a military garrison especially in wake of the upcoming holy month of Ramadan as thousands of people from other districts and far off places travel to Srinagar to offer prayers in the Grand Masjid.
Meanwhile, President of the Anjuman-e-Auqaf Jamia Masjid, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who was set free by the authorities from the house detention after a week, took stock of the arrangements and preparations in the Jamia Masjid in view of the commencement of Ramadhan.
Mirwaiz stressed on making all the necessary facilities available for the worshipers and directed the members of Auqaf to ensure all the measures are taken for smooth conduct of prayers and important congregations.
Mirwaiz also chaired a meeting of members of Anjuman and directed them to ensure all the facilities including power supply, matting, cleanliness, water for performing ablution etc are taken care of in view of the holy month of Ramadhan.
Mirwaiz directed that members of Anjuman that worshipers do not face any kind of inconvenience during the holy month.
The meeting stressed on the Divisional Administration to ensure uninterrupted power and water supply to the Jamia Masjid during Ramadan and also to ensure smooth flow of traffic. The meeting also laid stress on ensuring cleanliness around Jamia Masjid in the wake of rising temperatures.
Mirwaiz later inspected the preparations and arrangement in place inside the grand Masjid. He also interacted with the members of Auqaf and sought their feedback on the possible changes to be made for streamlining the facilities for the worshippers. (KNS)