Srinagar, Aug 21 (KNS): Alhamdulillah, the congregational Friday prayers were offered at the historic and central Jama Masjid Srinagar after a gap of 21 weeks due to COVID 19 pandemic as per the announcement of Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid.

As soon as the Azaan (call for prayer) echoed from the minarets, a large number of people including men and women started rushing towards the grand masjid and offered the congregational Friday prayers observing all measures of physical distancing and other SOPs including wearing of face masks, being implemented by the Anjuman .

However, the people on the occasion missed their beloved leader Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Molvi Umar Farooq who is under house arrest for more than a year now.

Mirwaiz Moulvi Umar Farooq continuing the tradition of his forefathers – the Mirwaizeen – as a religious and social leader, delivers sermons from the pulpit of Jamia Masjid invoking the message of Qaal Allah Wa Qaal A Rasool Ullah (SAW). However, the Mirwaiz could not attend the Jamia Masjid due to his continuous house detention.

On the occasion, the people made special prayers seeking refuge from the ongoing coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, and the drought-like situation in Valley and other problems and challenges Kashmiris are facing.

Dar-ul-Khair Mirwaiz Manzil had put in place the arrangements for providing free masks to those who had come to the grand masjid without face-masks, a practice that will continue for all prayers at the mosque. (KNS)