Eid prayers held at Eidgah and Jama Masjid of Kashmir during peak militancy, why restrictions in times of 'normalcy', asks Mirwaiz Umar Farooq

Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Monday condemned the authorities decision to disallow Eid Prayers at Eidgah and historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar.

Mirwaiz said that even at the peak of militancy in 1990's Eid prayers were offered at Eidgah but today when authorities make tall claims of 'normalcy' why are Muslims kept away from their religious places and practices.

"I am deeply pained and strongly condemn the authorities decision to once again deny the Muslims of Kashmir the basic right to offer Eid prayers at the central Eidgah and Jama Masjid, which have been closed down," said Mirwaiz.


The Hurriyat leader said that the authorities didn't allow Shab e Qadr prayers and Jumma tul Vida prayers at Jama Masjid during the holy month of Ramazan.

"Even at the peak of militancy during the 1990s, Eid prayers were offered at Eidgah, so now when huge claims of “normalcy” are made every day by the authorities, it is incomprehensible why Muslims are being kept away from their religious places and practices," said Mirwaiz, asking, "What is the agenda behind such restrictions."

Mirwaiz asked whether the collective identity of Kashmiri Muslims is considered a threat by the rulers. "Eidgah and Jama Masjid belong to the people, and barring them from these sacred spaces even on Eid reflects the oppressive and authoritarian approach that prevails in Kashmir today," said Mirwaiz.