Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who was expected to lead congregational prayers at Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid on Friday, was not allowed to leave his residence yet again. The management committee of the mosque had announced on February 7 that Mirwaiz would address people at the grand mosque on February 9.
His special sermon was meant to mark Shab-e-Mehraj at Jamia Masjid, an auspicious occasion in the Islamic calendar.
The Anjumam Auqaf Jama Masjid committee said that early Friday, a contingent of police vehicles was stationed outside his residence and he was detained.
Since his release from house detention after more than four years in September last year, Mirwaiz has been allowed to address Friday prayers only thrice. While he has been travelling around the city and also made a visit outside the state last month, his visit to Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta has been restricted.
Sources in the administration told The Indian Express that with the escalation in the Israel-Palestine conflict since October 7, “there has been apprehension that he may address the issue in his Friday sermons”, which is why he has not been allowed to lead prayers on Friday. “It has been conveyed to him that if he sticks to his religious duties, there is no issue in addressing the people at the mosque,” the source added.
“Anjuman strongly denounces the repeated house arrest of Mirwaiz especially on Friday, disabling him from visiting Jama Masjid to deliver the Friday sermon and participate in the mandatory Friday prayers,” the Auqaf said.
