Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has described as “unfortunate” the security establishment’s decision to seal Srinagar’s historic Jama Masjid on Shab-e-Baraat, one of the holiest nights in the Islamic calendar that was observed across Kashmir.
Police on Thursday placed Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who was scheduled to deliver a sermon at Jama Masjid on Shab-e-Baraat, under house arrest. The people present on the premises were asked to leave and the mosque management was informed that there would be no night prayers.
The mosque closure represents the sixth consecutive year Shab-e-Baraat prayers have been prohibited at the Jamia Masjid since 2019.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah criticized the mosque restrictions at the mosque as unfavourable and said that the actions reflect poor security management. On X he argued that the decision to lock down the historic Jamia Masjid during one of the holiest Islamic calendar nights betrays a lack of confidence in the people.
“It is very unfortunate that the security establishment has decided to seal the historic Jamia Masjid, Srinagar on one of the holiest nights in the Islamic calendar Shab-e-Baraat. This decision betrays a lack in confidence in the people & a lack of confidence in the law & order machinery that calm won’t prevail without extreme measures. The people of Srinagar deserved better,” Abdullah wrote
“This decision betrays a lack in confidence in the people and a lack of confidence in the law-and-order machinery that calm won’t prevail without extreme measures. The people of Srinagar deserved better,” he added.
Former CM Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the move and wrote “Shocked to hear about Mirwaiz Sahab’s illegal house arrest today on the occasion of Shab e Barat. Not only this but the Jama Masjid too has been locked up & kept out of bounds for the general public. Utterly disrespectful & unwarranted. Hoping for some answers.”
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader, Iltija Mufti wrote, “On the blessed occasion of Shab-e-Baarat Mirwaiz Sahab has been placed under house arrest & the gates of Jama Masjid have been abruptly locked up. In Kashmir not only are our fundamental rights to speech & expression muzzled but also the very right to freedom of religion. Criminal & sadistic. Shocked that the NC government is quiet as a church mouse. Which constitution are you following”.
Elsewhere, thousands of faithful thronged mosques and shrines to observe Shab-e-Baraat, with the Hazratbal shrine hosting the largest gathering on Thursday night.
The faithful visited the graves of their loved ones and prayed for them.
(With PTI inputs)
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