Srinagar: Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid Srinagar on Friday said that for the past three and a half years, the minbar-o-mihrab of the centuries-old grand mosque, which is a great religious and spiritual centre of the Muslims of Kashmir, continues to be silent due to what it termed as illegal and arbitrary house detention of the valley’s top-most religious figure Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq.
“It is extremely unfortunate that the authorities have barred Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq from performing Friday prayers and fulfilling his duties as the Mirwaiz of Kashmir, for the last more than three years, which is deeply hurting the emotions and religious sentiments of lakhs of Muslims and his followers,” Auqaf said in a statement.
Anjuman termed this behavior of the authorities as anti-Islamic and sheer interference in religious matters and also the violation of the freedom of expression, calling it extremely regrettable and condemnable.
“Mirwaiz Umar Farooq is not only an important religious personality of Kashmir but also a beloved leader of the people who come to the historic Jama Masjid Srinagar in large numbers to listen to him every Friday,” Anjuman said, adding that for the last more than three years, the faithful, devotees and followers had to return disappointed from the Jama Masjid in the absence of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir.
Anjuman emphasized that the prolonged detention of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir has caused deep disappointment and anxiety among the people, and it is high time that this highhandedness of the authorities should end.
Meanwhile, Anjuman has expressed grief over the demise of the elderly aunt of its General Secretary Haji Muhammad Altaf Bhat. The Auqaf expressed heartfelt condolence and solidarity with the bereaved family and prays to Almighty Allah to grant Jannat-ul-Firdous to the departed soul.
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