Mirwaiz may offer Friday prayers after three years at Kashmir’s grand mosque

In anticipation of the revocation of Jammu & Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status in August 2019, Hurriyat Conference chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq announced on Thursday that he will lead congregational Friday prayers in Srinagar’s grand mosque for the first time since his detention. Days after lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha stated the Mirwaiz was not under house arrest, he is scheduled to sermon at the mosque where he serves as the chief priest.

“I am going to offer Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid tomorrow [Friday]…,” the Mirwaiz said even as people close to him added that the administration has so far conveyed nothing to him except moving a truck blocking his residence a bit far from its gates. Security personnel remained deployed there.

“…it will be an embarrassment for [Sinha] if the Mirwaiz would not be allowed to move out of his home for the prayers,” said a person close to the Mirwaiz, according to Hindustan Times.

Last Friday, the Hurriyat Conference refuted Sinha’s claim that the Mirwaiz was not under house arrest, claiming he was even prevented from visiting the mosque on Fridays to give sermons.

The Mirwaiz was not in custody even in 2019, according to Sinha, who said in an interview with BBC Hindi that police had been stationed at his home for his safety.

After the interview, some journalists tried to visit the Mirwaiz’s residence but were denied entry.

In a statement, the managing body of the mosque said it is hopeful the Mirwaiz will be allowed to offer Friday prayers and give the sermon. It refers to Sinha’s assertion as shocking and claimed that the Mirwaiz’s continued detention had upset many people.

According to the body, all arrangements have been prepared for the Mirwaiz’s Friday sermon, and everyone is eagerly waiting his release so they can see and hear him.

Hundreds of individuals, including The Mirwaiz, were detained in August 2019 to prevent protests against the changes to Jammu & Kashmir’s special status.

---

---

Follow us on

---

(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)