Srinagar remained tense on Eid al-Adha as authorities locked the gates of the historic Jamia Masjid, preventing devotees from offering Eid prayers for the seventh consecutive year. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the chief cleric of Kashmir, was once again placed under house arrest, a move that has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders, religious organizations, and human rights groups.
The Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid, the managing body of the grand mosque, expressed strong condemnation, calling the move "arbitrary and unjustified." They highlighted that preventing Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from fulfilling his religious duties and preventing the faithful from benefiting from his sermons "deeply hurts the religious sentiments of the people." The organization reiterated that such restrictions, particularly during sacred times, go against the principles of religious freedom.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq conveyed his anguish through social media platform X, stating, "Eid Mubarak! Yet again, Kashmir wakes up to the sad reality: no Eid prayers at Eidgah, and Jama Masjid locked down for the 7th straight year. I, too, have been detained at my home." He further lamented that in a Muslim-majority region, Muslims are being deprived of their fundamental right to pray, even on their most important religious occasion.
Political figures have also voiced their disapproval of the restrictions. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed his sadness, questioning the reasons behind denying permission to offer prayers at Srinagar's iconic Jamia Masjid. He emphasized the importance of trusting the people. PDP President Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the closure, with PDP spokesperson Iltija Mufti questioning the contradiction between official claims of normalcy and the restrictions imposed on the ground.
The closure of Jamia Masjid and the house arrest of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq mark a continuation of a disturbing trend that began in 2019, the same year the central government revoked Article 370, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special status. Since then, the historic mosque, a significant symbol of Kashmiri identity and resistance, has been frequently placed under lockdown, especially during sensitive occasions and religious festivals.
APHC spokesperson Abdul Rashid Minhas strongly condemned the ban, calling it yet another violation of basic human rights. He stated that India has not only stripped Kashmiris of their political freedoms but has also trampled upon their religious liberties, subjecting them to collective punishment for demanding their right to self-determination.
Despite the restrictions, Eid al-Adha was celebrated across Jammu and Kashmir with traditional fervor. The largest gathering in the Kashmir Valley took place at the Hazratbal shrine, where prominent leaders joined the faithful in prayer. However, the absence of prayers at Jamia Masjid served as a stark reminder of the ongoing restrictions and the sentiments of the Kashmiri people. The APHC has urged the international community to take notice of the situation and play a role in resolving the Kashmir dispute.
