Srinagar: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Wednesday said Muslims in Kashmir had been denied permission to offer Eid prayers at the historic Eidgah and Jamia Masjid in Srinagar for the eighth consecutive year, alleging that authorities had also placed him under house arrest.
An outside view of Mirwaiz’s residence. Photo: X/ @MirwaizKashmir]
In a statement, the Mirwaiz said Kashmiris were being met with “barricades, restrictions, locked gates and intimidation” on the occasion of Eid instead of being allowed to celebrate freely. Calling it a “systematic assault” on the religious identity and dignity of Muslims in Kashmir, he said the continued restrictions deeply hurt the sentiments of the people.
“It is very unfortunate that children in Kashmir are growing up without witnessing the spiritually uplifting Eid prayers at Eidgah and the festivities thereof,” he said, adding that an entire generation was being deprived of traditions and memories associated with the occasion for centuries.
The Mirwaiz further said that no force could weaken the emotional and spiritual bond Kashmiris share with Eidgah, Jamia Masjid and other religious institutions. “Faith cannot be imprisoned or suppressed through force,” he said.
