Aman Zutshi
Religious leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday expressed sadness over the local administration’s decision to not allow him to lead Jummat-ul-Vida prayers at the historic Jama Masjid in Downtown area of Kashmir’s Central district Srinagar on the occasion of Jummat-ul-Vida today of Ramadan
He has been put under house arrest and after the authorities closed the historic Jamia Masjid ahead of Juma-ul-Vida.
In a video statement, Religious leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expressing disappoint on the closure of Jama Masjid on the eve of Jummat-ul-Vida, he said, “I extend my greetings to people of J&K and to whole ‘Muslim Ummah’ on the occasion of Jummat-ul-Vida. If I would have been personally present at the Jama Masjid I would have felt much chuffed wishing you the Jumma”.
“But unfortunately the J&K govt not even on the 5th year closed the gates of historical Jama Masjid but also they have put me under house arrest. Being a muslim ‘Jummat-ul-Vida’ has a great significance and glory for us because this day is a special day of prayers and this day marks the conclusion of Ramadan. On this day we ask forgiveness, prosperity, blessings.
He added, “On this auspicious day people including men and women from across the valley and remote areas of Kashmir comes for the Jumma prayers in Jama Masjid, which is performed once in a year. But this is very unfortunate when all the globe and in Mosques, Imambaras, Khanqahs of Kashmir region people are observing this day, the local govt has put locks on the doors of Jama Masjid and they have snatched this scared day from us, which is very painful for all of us”.
“Today, the masses of J&K are protesting this. People are also very well aware that this religious place of Kashmir has been victim several times to lockdowns by the govt as every coming Friday brings disbelief and worries for me, because I don’t know I would be allowed to go to Jama Masjid or not or I would be house arrest by the govt. Although, the holy ‘Quran’ gives us hope and patience and being a Muslim we have to tread on the path of patience shown by the God”, he said.
“We are also remembering our oppressed Palestinian brothers and sisters who are going through very hard times on the auspicious occasion of Jummat-ul-Vida. Let us remember them in our blessings so Almighty lessens their pain and gloom and give them justice. We’re also remembering the youth of J&K who are languishing in prisons from years and we pray for their sooner release and health”, he prayed.
However on April 3rd, the local authorities decided to allow Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to lead prayers on the holy occasions of Jummat-ul-Vida, Shab-e-Qadr, and Eid-ul-Fitr. But today, the LG regime decided to disallow the religious leader and have put him house arrest in Srinagar.
Also Read: Authorities :No Jumat-ul-Vida prayers in Jamia Masjid
