Friday prayers in Jamia Masjid Srinagar after 30 weeks

SRINAGAR – Long wait of 30 weeks as J&K administration allowed Friday congregational prayers at historical Jamia Masjid in Srinagar Friday, Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid said.

A large number of devotees including women attended the Friday prayers at the grand mosque of Kashmir.  Many devotees were seen kissing the pillars of Kashmir’s grand mosque ahead of prayers. The prayers ended peacefully.

The religious body that looks after the Srinagar’s Jamia mosque said the Friday prayers were held today after a gap of 30 weeks.

“A large number of devotees came to the Masjid,” a member of the religious body said.

The Imam of mosque Imam Hai Syed Ahmed Naqshbandi after the sermon appealed to the Government of India to release Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who leads Friday prayers at the mosque.

According to Anjuman Mirwaiz, who is also Hurriyat chairman, has been under house arrest since August 5, 2019.

On Monday senior officers of the civil and police administration visited the Jamia mosque in the old city and reviewed the arrangements for allowing Friday prayers.  The members of the Anjuman were also present when the top officials visited the mosque.

While the mosque was out of bounds for worshippers for congregational Friday prayers for the last 30 weeks, the authorities were allowing the prayers for the other six days at the grand mosque.