Srinagar, Aug 13 (KNS): Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid Srinagar has expressed surprise and astonishment over the closure of central religious places including the historic Jama Masjid Srinagar, Asaa-e-Sharif Dargah Hazratbal, Khanqah-e-Moula and Astaan Aalia Makhdoom Sb (RA) for Friday prayers by administration under the guise of COVID-19.

The Anjuman in a statement, issued to Kashmir News Service (KNS) said that after a long hiatus, the Central Jamia Masjid in Srinagar was reopened for Friday prayers and worship only last Friday. 

“The Anjuman Auqaf had ensured that devotees strictly adhere to COVID SOPs and guidelines. But today, the authorities closed not only Jamia Masjid and other central and important places for Friday prayers, but on the contrary, an attempt was made to create an atmosphere of fear and panic by deploying a heavy military contingent outside these places,” it said.

The statement reads that due to the closure of  mosque and shrines people at many  places offered Friday prayers on streets and outside premises in protest and expressed their indignation against the attitude of the rulers.

“It is a strange tragedy that Covid is being ignored for public participation in official functions while restrictions are being imposed on Friday prayers and worship in central mosques, shrines and imambaras where Covid SOPs are being followed,” it reads.

Apart from seeking removal of restrictions on the Jama Masjid as well as all other major places of worship, the Anjuman Auqaf has demanded immediate release of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who has been under house arrest for the past 25 months.

Asserting that authorities were crossing all limits regarding interference in religion which was a matter of great concern to the people of Kashmir, the Anjuman demanded immedIate removal of these undue restrictions. (KNS)