Placed under house arrest ahead of sermon at Gol Masjid in Karan Nagar: Mirwaiz

Srinagar: The office of Mirwaiz Manzil said that Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was placed under house arrest on Wednesday ahead of his scheduled sermon at Gol Masjid in Karan Nagar.

In a statement, Mirwaiz Manzil said that all lanes leading to his residence in Nigeen were sealed by authorities.

A post on Mirwaiz Manzil’s handle read, “Just now! Ahead of @MirwaizKashmir’s scheduled sermon at Gol Masjid, Karan Nagar, he has been placed under house arrest, with all lanes leading to Mirwaiz Manzil, Nigeen sealed off.”

Another post on Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s account, read, “Condemn the targeted killing of secretary Ali Larijani by the rogue state of Israel! The resilience of the people of Iran and their leadership, reflects the spirit of a true Muslim nation, courageous, steadfast with resolute faith in Allah. Such people deserve to lead. As the Qur’an reminds us: “And the end is for the righteous.” (7:128) While other leaders of the Muslim world have exposed themselves as proxies, bereft of courage and conviction. Meanwhile the fearful rulers of this police state have by force, once again kept me away from the house of God in the holy month of Ramzan, as I was to deliver a sermon at Gol Masjid in Karan Nagar today. What a Shame!”

Earlier on Monday, Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid condemned the closure of the historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar on the sacred night of Laylatul Qadr, calling it deeply unfortunate and hurtful to the religious sentiments of Muslims.

The Auqaf had said that on a night when believers gather in mosques seeking Allah’s mercy and forgiveness, the Valley’s central place of worship was once again shut to worshippers. It also condemned the house arrest of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir, Dr. Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq, which prevented him from offering prayers and addressing the congregation.

The body said repeated closures of Jama Masjid on significant religious occasions reflect a disregard for fundamental religious rights and point to a shrinking space for peaceful religious practices.