SRINAGAR: The Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid has strongly condemned the continued house detention of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir, Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq, accusing the authorities of adopting an “undemocratic and hostile approach” towards the religious leader.
For the second consecutive Friday, Mirwaiz was barred from leading prayers at the historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar, a move the Auqaf termed deeply distressing for the Muslim community in Kashmir. The organisation said such restrictions on peaceful religious duties were causing widespread anguish and reflected the administration’s fear of the mosque’s influence.
Reacting to his detention, Mirwaiz took to social media platform X, criticising the government for what he called “Jamia Masjid phobia.” He also linked his continued confinement to a broader pattern of marginalisation of Muslims in the country, especially in light of the recently passed Waqf Bill.
“Another Friday, another house arrest, and the authorities’ Jamia Masjid phobia continues. As things regress for Muslims in this country, the latest being the highly marginalising Waqf Bill, it does not seem far-fetched that soon permissions may be required for Muslims to enter their mosques or even be buried in their graveyards,” Mirwaiz posted.
