SRINAGAR (Kashmir English): Indian authorities barred the significant religious gatherings of Muslims on the occasion of Shab-e-Qadr at the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar, Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
According to Kashmir Media Service, the authorities denied permission to hold prayers at the grand mosque in Srinagar, Jamia Masjid, on the auspicious occasion of Shab-e-Qadr, the chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said.
Gates of Jamia Masjid Srinagar were closed
The gates of the Jamia Masjid were closed and people were not allowed to enter for prayers.
Senior All Parties Hurriyat Conference leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was also placed under house arrest, barring him from addressing the faithful.
It is important to note that for the seventh consecutive year, the authorities of the Indian Bharatiya Janata Party regime have locked down Jamia Masjid, Srinagar, on Shab-e-Qadr and prevented people from offering prayers in the mosque.
APHC spokesman Advocate Abdul Rashid Minhas in a statement in Srinagar termed the development extremely regrettable and condemnable.
He said the insensitivity of those in power will deprive tens of thousands of Muslims who for generations visit the Jamia Masjid on this night, of spiritual solace and worship, causing them great grief and dismay.
The Indian police, under New Delhi-installed LG, had not allowed Jumat-ul-Vida as well at the Jamia Masjid. This is the Hindutva agenda as authorities banned observing Shab-e-Qadr inside the Jamia Masjid in Srinagar which is a blatant interference in the religious affairs of the Kashmiri Muslims, the statement said.
