Srinagar, Apr 8 (KNS): The leading religious and social organisations of Jammu and Kashmir under the aegis of Mutahida Majlis Ulema (MMU) on Thursday held a joint presser, seeking release of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq who is under house arrest for the last 20 months.

In a statement issued to KNS, it reads, "The heads and representatives of the religious and social organisations who addressed the press conference include Molana Rehmatullah Mir AlQasmi of Dar-ul-Uloom Raheemiya Bandipora, Krawane Islami head Molana Ghulam Raaool Hami, Jamiat Ahle Hadeeth general Sec Mufti Yaqoob Madni ,Anjuman Himayat-ul-Islam patron Moulana Showkat Hussain Keng, Itehadul Muslimeen head Molana Masroor Abbas Ansari, Representative of Mufti Azam , Himayatul Islam head Molana Khursheed Qanoogo and Jama Masjid Srinagar’s Imam Mufti Ghulam Rasool Samoon. Agha Syed Hassan  of Anjuman sharai shian could not attend as he was denied permission by the authorities to participate. His son Agha Mujtaba instead represented Anjuman Sharie shian"

While addressing the media, the participants said that the meeting was called to once again reiterate upon the authorities to release Mirwaiz e Kashmir immediately , especially as the holy month of Ramadan was about to commence, it added.

The leaders expressed dismay that despite passing of more than 20 months and repeated appeals , the arbitrary house detention of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir continued , which is a matter of grave concern for the religious fraternity of the valley and creates unease and anguish among people, it said.

"The participants who represented all the religious sects of  the Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir, said that they appeal to the government to release Jammu and Kashmir’s chief religious cleric Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq . They said that the pulpit of the central  Jama Masjid, Srinagar – had fallen silent and wore a deserted look , which otherwise reverberated with Qaal Allah Wa Qaala Rasool (SAW), since the Mirwaiz’s  arrest. This  is deeply disturbing to the people and religious fraternity of the valley who crave for the presence of their beloved religious leader in the historic Jama Masjid, they added. It is also direct state intrusion in the religious rights and affairs of the Muslims of J&K," statement said.

 It is pertinent to mention here that not only the Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema, but people from all walks of life including social, political, religious and civil society members have from time to time raised their voice demanding release of the Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir, it said l.

The meeting also appealed to the authorities that in view of Ramadan, all political prisoners and youth in jails across J&K and outside should be released on humanitarian grounds.

The meeting said that all Ulema, Aimams and Khateebs of Jammu and Kashmir will continue to demand for the release of the Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir before the holy month of Ramadhan, and in their Friday sermons tomorrow will raise the issue forcefully

The MMU consists of  Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid, Dar-ul-Uloom Raheemiya, Muslim Personal Law Board, Jamiat Ahle Hadeth, Jama’at-e-Islami, Anjuman Sharia’n Shian, Karwaan-e-Islami, Itihaad-ul-Muslimeen, Anjuman Himayat-ul-Islam, Jamiat Hamdania, Anjuman Ulema-e-Ahnaaf, Dar-ul-Uloom Qasmia, Dar-ul-Uloom Bilaliya, Anjuman Nusrat-ul-Islam, Anjuman Mazhar-ul-Haq, Jamiat-ul-Aima Wal Ulema, Anjuman Aima Wa Mashaa’ikh Kashmir, Dar-ul-Uloom Naqshbandiya, Dar-ul-Uloom Rasheediya, Ahl-e-Bayt Foundation, Madrasa Kanz-ul-Uloom, Perwaan-e-Wilayat, Auqaf Islamiya Khurram Sarhama, Anjuman Tanzeem-ul-Makaatib, Muhammadi Trust and many social and educational institutions.