Mirwaiz disallowed to address congregation at Jama Masjid in Kashmir for second consecutive Friday

Srinagar: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was disallowed to address the congregation at historic Jama Masjid in downtown Srinagar for the second consecutive Friday, which he said contradicts official narrative of normalcy in Kashmir

Mirwaiz, who addresses the Friday congregation at Jama Masjid, one of the oldest pulpits in the region, said that he was placed under house detention for nearly a week with police deployment and barricades errected outside his residence in Nigeen area of Srinagar. He was prevented from proceeding to the Jama Masjid Srinagar to deliver the Friday sermon.

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“My house detention continues unabated for the past week with police deployment and barricades in place...Arbitrary and authoritarian measures to curtail freedom of movement and speech only betray the official narrative of ‘Normalcy’ in Kashmir, said Mirwaiz. The authorities didn't allow anybody to meet Mirwaiz.

The continued restrictions follow Mirwaiz’s address at Jama Masjid last Friday, in which he referred to the recently published International Crisis Group report on Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting concerns over political prisoners, civil liberties and the need for meaningful political engagement and reconciliation.Since then, Mirwaiz has remained confined to his residence. He has been prevented from fulfilling his "religious responsibilities" including addressing scheduled religious gatherings and leading the Friday congregation at Jama Masjid.