SRINAGAR: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq on Friday addressed the congregation at Jama Masjid after being allowed to attend following two consecutive weeks of restrictions.
Speaking at the pulpit, the Mirwaiz said that repeatedly preventing him from delivering the Friday sermon was unjustified and amounted to interference in religious rights. “This is a direct interference in the people’s right to practise their religion and listen to the Friday sermon. Such measures do not serve any purpose and do not change historical facts,” he said.
He urged the administration to stop imposing arbitrary restrictions and allow him to attend Friday prayers at Jama Masjid without hindrance. “I have always asked the administration to desist from such actions and let people exercise their fundamental rights, including the freedom to practise religion,” he said.
During his address, the Mirwaiz also condemned the ongoing military action and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. “Our hearts bleed for the people of Gaza, especially the children, who are being bombarded and starved while searching for food and safety,” he said. “Starvation is being used as a weapon of war.”
He strongly denounced the global community’s silence and inaction, stating, “The world’s failure to prevent these atrocities and the killing of civilians in real time will remain a stain on the conscience of humanity.”
The Mirwaiz expressed solidarity with the people of Gaza and prayed for an end to their suffering.
