Since early morning, the streets of Srinagar’s downtown wore an eerie look.
On seeing the heavy deployment of forces in every nook and cranny of the old city, many had guessed that the Friday prayers would be “allowed” after thirty weeks of curbs.
As the early spring rains subsided, and sun made its way through the clouds, the doors of the Jamia Masjid were thrown open for the besieged worshippers.
With their shoes in hand, the worshippers queued outside the mosque, got frisked, and proceeded for the much awaited congregational Friday prayers.
Amid tearful sobs, the devotees made dua-e-khair and offered Friday prayers on the occasion of Friday following Shab-e-Meraj.
The aura however, had a tinge of resentment as the worshippers demanded the immediate release of Mirwaiz Kashmir, Molvi Umar Farooq. Mirwaiz has been under house arrest since August, 2019.
Rest in pictures.
Heavy deployment of forces was seen around Jamia Masjid on 4th March, 2022, as the mosque reopened for prayers after 30 weeks of restrictions on congregational Friday prayers. [FPK Photo/Zainab]
A devotee is being frisked outside Jamia Masjid in Srinagar on 4 March, 2022. [FPK Photo/Zainab]
Kids perform ablution inside the premises of Jamia Masjid on 4th March, 2022. [FPK Photo/Muzammil Bashir]
Muezzin gives call to prayers inside Jamia Masjid. [FPK Photo/Amir Bin Rafi]
People offer congregational Friday prayers inside Jamia Masjid. [FPK Photo/Vikar Syed]
A woman offers prayers in Jamia Masjid on 4th March, 2022. [FPK Photo/Zainab]
Authorities lock the mosque from inside during congregational Friday prayers inside Jamia Masjid. [FPK Photo/Zainab]
Kids play as people offer prayers in the compound of Jamia Masjid on 4th March, 2022. [FPK Photo/Muzamil Bashir]
Zainab contributed to the text of this piece.
