SRINAGAR – Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board Chairperson Darakhshan Andrabi on Monday said that mosques and shrines should not be used for sloganeering to disturb the peaceful atmosphere of the union territory. “Mosques and shrines are not made for the sloganeering…the public themselves are responsible for disturbing the peace in the mosques”, Andrabi said while reacting to the question regarding Eid prayers in the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar. The Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid and authorities could not reach a consensus on conducting Eid prayers in the mosque on Tuesday. Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid on Sunday alleged that “unreasonable conditions” were being imposed by the authorities for conducting Eid prayers. Andrabi said that the administration did try to provide an opportunity to conduct the Eid prayers in the historic Jamia Masjid. She said it is unfortunate that some people did not want the normal prayers to be held in the Jamia Masjid peacefully and regularly. “It is in the hands of the people (devotees) not to indulge in sloganeering in the mosque”, she said and added “Mosques and shrines are not for the sloganeering. The people are themselves responsible for disturbing the peace in the mosque”. Andrabi said “in a tough situation we are moving forward towards peace and will not allow a disturbing atmosphere again”. “We don’t want to celebrate the Eid in a bad atmosphere”, she added. She said the administration during a meeting found that the Eid should be celebrated in a true spirit and the mischievous elements should not be allowed to disturb the peaceful atmosphere.
