Photo Essay: First Friday of Ramzan

Srinagar: The chief religious leader, Mirwaiz Molvi Umar Farooq, was permitted to lead the Friday prayer during Ramadan at the historic Jamia Masjid for the first time since the special status for Kashmir was abolished.

Previously, he had been prevented from leading prayers. However, on Friday, March 8, 2024, he was allowed to lead prayers, two days after the Lieutenant Governor’s administration stated to the Jammu and Kashmir High Court that he was free to do so.

Mohammad Yaseen, who has been worshipping at the Jamia Masjid since childhood, expressed joy and gratitude for the opportunity to participate in such a large gathering, given the repeated restrictions on Mirwaiz Umar Farooq during Ramadan over the past four years.

As authorities permitted Mirwaiz, thousands of worshippers from different parts of Kashmir travelled to the Jamia Masjid and offered the Zuhr prayer, marking the first Friday prayer of the holy month of Ramadan in 2024.

Rest in pictures

Worshippers offer Friday prayer along the lawn of Historic Jamia Masjid during the holy
month of Ramadan in Srinagar Kashmir. [FPK Photo / Umar Farooq]

Women offer Friday prayer at Jamia Masjid during the holy month of Ramadan in
Srinagar Kashmir. [FPK Photo / Umar Farooq]

People leave after concluding Friday prayer at Jamia Masjid, Srinagar. [FPK Photo /
Umar Farooq]

Hamad, a class 1st student along with his father, while leaving to
home after finishing Friday prayer at Jamia Masjid in Srinagar Kashmir. [FPK Photo/ Umar Farooq]

Mohammad Yaseen (Left) talking to his friend after concluding the Friday prayer past an
armed forces’ vehicle outside Jamia Masjid, in Srinagar, Kashmir. [FPK Photo / Umar Farooq]

An Armed forces personnel stands deployed outside Jamia Masjid, in Srinagar Kashmir.
FPK Photo / Umar Farooq]

 

Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq delivers Friday sermon on the pulpit of Jamia
Masjid, Srinagar. [FPK Photo / Umar Farooq]

People listen to the Friday sermon of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq inside Jamia Masjid
Srinagar. [FPK Photo / Umar Farooq]

Worshippers offer Friday prayer along the lawn of historic Jamia Masjid during the holy
month of Ramdan in Srinagar Kashmir [FPK Photo / Umar Farooq]

People listen to the Friday sermon of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in the lawn of Jamia Masjid
Srinagar. [FPK Photo / Umar Farooq]