Srinagar, Sep 22 (KNS): Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Molvi Umar Farooq, who is under house detention for last four years, is likely to be released today, Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid told KNS.

Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid has informed that senior police officials visited the residence of Mirwaiz  yesterday to inform him that the authorities have decided to release him from house detention and allow him to go to Jamia  Masjid for Friday prayers today.

"We have been communicated by authorities that Mirwaiz Umar Farooq will be allowed today to offer Friday congregational prayers at historic Jama Masjid, so accordingly we have been told to be prepared," they said.

Notably Mirwaiz is under house detention since August 2019 when Centre revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and divided the erstwhile state into two Union Territories.

Since August 05, 2019, Mirwaiz has remained under house detention and has not been allowed to offer congregational Friday prayers at Jama Masjid Srinagar.

Awami Action Committee and Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid had been urging the government to release Umar Farooq from house detention and allow him to carry out his routine religious duties.

On September 15, Jammu and Kashmir high court sought responses from the government over Mirwaiz's plea regarding his detention since August 2019.

Government few days back released two religious clerics - Abdul Rashid Dawoodi and Mushtaq Ahmad Veeri. The move has been widely hailed by political parties, civil society and general public. (KNS)