Mirwaiz says Jama Masjid in Kashmir locked on the lines of Masjid Al Aqsa on Youm-e-Quds

Srinagar: Authorities disallowed Jumat-ul-Vida congregation at historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar on Friday even as hundreds of people marched to observe Youm-e-Quds in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Muslims across the world observe the Jumat-ul-Vida, the last Friday of Ramazan–the holiest month of the Muslim lunar calendar–as Youm-e Quds, to stress upon the urgent need for a peaceful resolution of the lingering Palestinian issue and protest against the occupation of Masjid-Al-Aqsa–the third holiest site in Islam.

"Rulers have denied muslims the right to offer prayers at Jama Masjid on this auspicious day...just as Israel has forcibly shut the gates of Masjid al-Aqsa during Ramzan, a similar painful reality is being witnessed here," said Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who addresses Friday congregation at Jama Masjid.


“Our hearts bleed,” said Mirwaiz adding that it is deeply shameful that the houses of Allah are being locked against the wishes of faithful.

Anjuman Auqaf, which runs affairs of the Jama Masjid, has strongly condemned the continued closure of the historic Jama Masjid on Jumat ul Vida, when tens of thousands of devotees from villages and towns traditionally gather here to offer congregational prayers and supplications.

The authorities once again locked the gates of the historic mosque from all sides and placed Mirwaiz under house arrest, preventing him from delivering the sermon and leading the prayers on this sacred occasion," read the Auqaf statement.

Auqaf members who had assured the authorities that the prayers would conclude peacefully, expressed deep anguish that for the seventh consecutive year, muslims of Kashmir have been denied the opportunity to offer Jumat ul Vida prayers at the Valley’s central mosque. "Such restrictions not only hurt the religious sentiments of the people but also amount to denying worshippers their fundamental right to pray in the house of Allah," read the statement. The Auqaf also noted that this approach of the authorities has resulted in multiple closures of Jama Masjid throughout the year and reflects "continued insecurities and an unjustified policy of restrictions on religious practices."

The authorities had imposed precautionary restrictions in some parts of Shia dominated areas in Kashmir to thwart any major pro-Iran and pro-Palestine protests. One of the huge Friday congregation was held at Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar.

Thousands of people took out major rallies in Srinagar, Pulwama, Budgam and Baramulla districts of Kashmir, Poonch in Jammu and and Leh and Kargil districts of Ladakh. "We stand in unwavering solidarity with the people of Palestine—for their right to live free and against the Zionist genocide and occupation," Sajjad Kargili of Ladakh wrote on X.

Thousands of people gathered in Budgam on the occasion of 'Youm-e-Quds' and held a protest march expressing solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine and Iran. A large congregation assembled at Markazi Imambara Budgam, led by Aga Hassan, following which people took out a peaceful rally and marched towards Main Chowk Budgam.