Srinagar, Jan 8 (KNS): Imam Jamia Masjid Srinagar Mufti Ghulam Rasool Samoon  termed it extremely unfortunate that the Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid president Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq continues to be under house arrest for the last 17 months.
He said this while addressing the devotees during the Friday congregational prayers, according to a statement issued to KNS.

He said the pulpit of the largest religious place and spiritual centre of Kashmir, Jamia Masjid Srinagar, continues to be silent for the 76th Friday now which otherwise would reverberate with the teachings of Qaal Allah Wa Qaala Rasool (SAW) by the Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir.

Mufti Samoon said the continuous detention of the Mirwaiz is not only unjustified and the worst form of dictatorship but is also totally unacceptable to the people.

He reiterated the people’s demand that the curbs on Mirwaiz Umar Farooq be lifted forthwith so that he resumes the centuries-old duties of his family – the Mirwaizeen – and fufills the responsibilities the institution of Mirwaiz enjoins upon him.

On the occasion, the people strongly protested against the continuous house arrest of the Mirwaiz and termed his incarceration as government’s interference in religious affairs and demanded his immediate release from house detention . (KNS).