Srinagar, June 13 (KNS): Addressing the Friday congregation at Jama Masjid Srinagar, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq raised serious concerns over the continued restrictions on offering Eid prayers at historic Jama Masjid, condemned Israeli strikes on Iran, and expressed grief over the Air India crash in Ahmedabad.
“This is the first time we are meeting after the occasion of Eid,” Mirwaiz said, “when we were not allowed to offer Eid prayers either at Eidgah or at Jama Masjid. Both places were locked down and I was put under house arrest. For the last seven years this action of the rulers has prevented the Muslims of Kashmir from their basic right to practise religious rites,” Mirwaiz said in a statement on X.
Questioning the role of the administration, he said, “I want to ask the authorities — especially the LG sahab as he is the head — that while he extends Eid greetings to people and talks about the spirit of Eid and Islam in a very reverent manner, why are the Muslims of Kashmir prevented from offering Eid prayers at Eidgah, or even at the Jama Masjid? What is the reason? The authorities should spell out their fears and apprehensions if that is what prevents them — or is it to punish Kashmiris?”
Mirwaiz said such decisions amount to “inhuman diktats” and are part of ongoing oppressive measures in Jammu and Kashmir. “This gathering strongly condemns these inhuman diktats. The reality is that oppressive measures are very much in place and the so-called narrative of normalcy post abrogation of 370 is a myth. There is no political or administrative space available to the people of Jammu and Kashmir—it is shrinking by the day.”
He also took a dig at the elected government, saying it has failed to uphold people’s rights.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel“The elected government too so far has failed to stand up and safeguard the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. They cannot forever hide behind that they have limited authority and wait for nothing or all till statehood is restored. People rightfully have expectations of them to deliver,” he said.
On international issues, Mirwaiz condemned the Israeli strikes in Iran, calling them an escalation with grave consequences. “Another distressing news that came this morning is the bombing of Iran by Israel, in which many civilians including women and children have been killed. Besides, senior Iranian military personnel have also been assassinated. This is highly condemnable,” he said.
“While perpetuating genocide on hapless Palestinians and getting away with it, Israel is now putting the whole of Middle East in peril. It has become a rogue state and a huge threat to world peace. It is the moral duty of the UN and all world nations to put pressure on Israel to stop the genocide and war in Gaza and prevent Israel from targeting other nations. People of Jammu and Kashmir stand with Palestinians and Iranians against Israeli aggression on them,” he added.
Mirwaiz also expressed sorrow over the crash of an Air India flight in Ahmedabad. “Yesterday we witnessed a great tragedy when the Air India flight crashed in Ahmadabad. It has deeply saddened us all. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones and pray to Almighty to give them strength in this very trying time. We also pray for the swift recovery of the injured.”
Mirwaiz shared his remarks on social media platform X, tagging @OfficeOfLGJandK and @OmarAbdullah. (KNS)