Srinagar, March 13 (NationPress) The Jama Masjid management in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar announced that local authorities have prohibited Friday prayers at the mosque and placed Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house arrest. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq is known for delivering the sermon on the final Friday of the holy month of Ramzan (Jumatul Vida) at the historic mosque located in the Nowhatta area of the old city.

On his X account, the Mirwaiz shared the statement from the Jamia Masjid management committee, which claimed: "Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid has vehemently condemned the ongoing closure of the historic Jama Masjid Srinagar during Jumatul Vida, the last Friday of Ramzan, when countless devotees usually gather from various towns and villages to offer prayers and supplications collectively."

The statement continued, stating that the authorities have once again locked the mosque's gates from all sides and have house-arrested Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr. Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq, hindering him from delivering the sermon and leading prayers on this sacred day. It expressed "deep sorrow that for the seventh consecutive year, Muslims have been denied the chance to attend Jumatul Vida prayers at the Valley's central congregation mosque."

"These restrictions not only offend the religious feelings of the community but also infringe on worshippers' fundamental right to pray in the house of Allah," the statement remarked, highlighting that such actions indicate an arbitrary pattern of closing Jama Masjid multiple times throughout the year, demonstrating ongoing insecurities and an unjustified policy of restricting religious practices.

The Mirwaiz noted that once again, on this significant day when tens of thousands typically gather for prayers and supplications at the historic Jama Masjid, its gates have been locked.

"He pointed out that for the seventh consecutive year, the rulers have denied Muslims the right to pray at Jama Masjid on this important day. The Mirwaiz added that just as Israel has forcibly shut the gates of Masjid al-Aqsa during Ramzan, a similar painful situation is being experienced here," the statement quoted him as saying.

Despite this, Jumatul Vida prayers were peacefully conducted across other locations in Srinagar city and various areas of the Valley.

The largest assembly took place at the Hazratbal shrine on the outskirts of Srinagar, where thousands of devout Muslims gathered for communal prayers.

Jumatul Vida prayers were also observed peacefully in every district headquarters, city, town, and village throughout the Valley.

Authorities had issued a high alert in the Valley today and deployed sufficient security forces to ensure law and order.