SRINAGAR: Authorities on Saturday disallowed Eid-ul-Adha congregational prayers at Srinagar’s historic Jama Masjid and Eidgah by locking the mosque gates and deploying police personnel outside. Fajr prayers were also not permitted at the Jama Masjid, where the gates remained closed since morning.
Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid confirmed that Eid prayers were not allowed and stated that Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq was placed under house arrest.
Eid Mubarak! Yet again, Kashmir wakes up to the sad reality: no Eid prayers at Eidgah, and Jama Masjid locked down — for the 7th straight year. I too have been detained at my home.
In a Muslim-majority region, Muslims are deprived of their fundamental right to pray — even on… pic.twitter.com/DFM1y0t9ce— Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) June 7, 2025
In a statement on social media platform X, Mirwaiz said: “Eid Mubarak. Yet again, Kashmir wakes up to the same reality—no Eid prayers at Eidgah, and Jama Masjid locked—for the seventh consecutive year. I have also been detained at home. In a Muslim-majority region, people are denied their right to offer Eid prayers. Those in power and those elected remain silent as basic rights are repeatedly denied.”
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, after offering Eid prayers at Dargah Hazratbal with National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah and other family members, expressed regret over the continued restrictions on prayers at Jama Masjid.
Speaking to reporters, the Chief Minister said, “While we are celebrating Eid, I am personally saddened that once again, permission was denied for prayers at Srinagar’s Jama Masjid. I do not know the reasons behind such decisions, but we must learn to trust our people.”
Referring to public protests after the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Omar Abdullah said, “These are the same people who peacefully protested against the Pahalgam attack. One day, the government will have to trust its citizens.”
He added that the government should reconsider and allow congregational prayers at the historic mosque in future. (JKNS Inputs)
