SRINAGAR: Authorities in Srinagar prevented congregational prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid on Jumat‑ul‑Vida, the final Friday of Ramadhan.
Mirwaiz‑e‑Kashmir Umar Farooq, who was scheduled to deliver the sermon, was placed under house arrest.
Taking to social media, Mirwaiz expressed his distress, sharing photographs of the mosque’s locked gates and comparing the restrictions to those imposed at Masjid al‑Aqsa in Jerusalem.
On the last Friday of holy Ramzan, when tens of thousands gather from towns and villages for prayers and supplication at the historic Jama Masjid Srinagar, its gates have once again been locked from all sides.
For the 7th consecutive year, the rulers have denied permission to… pic.twitter.com/euG82lbr3N
— Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) March 13, 2026
“For the seventh consecutive year, the authorities have denied Muslims permission to pray here,” he stated, adding, “Our hearts bleed. Shame on those who lock the houses of Allah against the faithful.”
Jamat‑ul‑Vida this year was declared to fall on March 13, by Jammu and Kashmir’s Grand Mufti, Nasir‑ul‑Islam, as the following Friday may coincide with Eid‑ul‑Fitr.
Jumat‑ul‑Vida is regarded as the holiest Friday of the Islamic calendar and is also observed as Yaum‑al‑Quds in support of Palestine. Traditionally, large congregations assemble at central mosques for prayers and related community events.
