SRINAGAR: Delivering the Friday sermon at Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq raised strong objections over the repeated bans on Eid prayers at the Eidgah and Jamia Masjid, calling on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to publicly explain the rationale behind what he termed as the denial of a basic religious right.
Addressed Friday Congregation at Jama Masjid today
LG Sahib should Explain Eid Prayer Bans, Elected Govt too So Far Has Failed to Safeguard People’s Rights, Condemn Israeli Aggression in Iran, Condole Ahmedabad Crash Victims
“We are meeting first time after the occasion of… pic.twitter.com/nN38gr0ldB
— Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) June 13, 2025
Addressing worshippers for the first time since Eid-ul-Adha, the Mirwaiz stated, “Both Eidgah and Jamia Masjid were locked down and I was placed under house arrest. For the past seven years, such measures have prevented Muslims in Kashmir from offering Eid prayers.” He criticised the administration for extending Eid greetings while simultaneously barring congregational worship, urging the LG to clarify the government’s position and motivations.
He condemned the restrictions as “inhuman diktats” and alleged that despite claims of normalcy following the abrogation of Article 370, the ground reality remains repressive. “There is no political or administrative space for people in Jammu and Kashmir. It is shrinking each day,” he said, adding that even the elected government has failed to defend people’s rights.
“The elected government cannot forever hide behind excuses of limited authority and the wait for restoration of statehood,” the Mirwaiz stated, calling for accountability and tangible action from local leadership.
He also expressed outrage over fresh Israeli airstrikes on Iran, which, according to international reports, have killed civilians including women, children, and senior Iranian military personnel. “Israel has become a rogue state and a serious threat to world peace,” he said, urging the United Nations and world powers to intervene and stop the war in Gaza and broader regional aggression. He affirmed Kashmir’s solidarity with Palestinians and Iranians.
Commenting on the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad, the Mirwaiz expressed his grief and offered condolences to the bereaved families. “We extend our heartfelt sympathies and pray for the swift recovery of those injured in the crash,” he said.
