Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Questions House Arrest and Eid Prayer Ban
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Synopsis
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a prominent religious and political figure, has condemned being placed under house arrest while the authorities prohibited Eid prayers at Jama Masjid and Eidgah in Srinagar. He raises concerns about the implications of such actions on the religious rights of Kashmiri Muslims.
Key Takeaways
- Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house arrest.
- Authorities banned Eid prayers at Eidgah and Jama Masjid.
- Concerns about Kashmiri Muslims' religious rights.
- MHA imposed a five-year ban on Awami Action Committee.
- Historical context of Eid prayers during militancy.
Srinagar, March 31 (NationPress) Senior religious and political figure Mirwaiz Umar Farooq stated on Monday that he has been placed under house arrest by the authorities, who have also prohibited congregational Eid prayers at Jama Masjid and Eidgah in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.
"I am profoundly distressed and vehemently condemn the authorities' decision to yet again strip the Muslims of Kashmir of their fundamental right to observe Eid prayers at Eidgah and Jama Masjid, which have been shut down, and I am confined at home," Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expressed on his X account.
His message continued, "Even during the peak of militancy in the 1990s, Eid prayers were conducted at Eidgah. So, with the authorities making grand claims of 'normalcy' daily, why are Muslims being barred from their sacred sites and rituals? What is the underlying agenda? Is the collective identity of Kashmiri Muslims considered a threat to the rulers?"
The post also highlighted that Eidgah and Jama Masjid are communal properties. "Preventing access to these sanctified spaces, even on Eid, epitomizes the repressive and authoritarian stance that dominates Kashmir today."
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has recently imposed a five-year ban on the Awami Action Committee (ACC), led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
The MHA's directive claims that the ACC is an anti-national entity that has been inciting youth to engage in stone-pelting and violence, thereby acting against the state.
The ACC was established in 1963 by Mirwaiz Maulana Mohammad Farooq. Following the assassination of the senior Mirwaiz, his son, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, took over the leadership.
The senior Mirwaiz was murdered by terrorists in 1990 at his residence in Nigeen, near the city.
The MHA order has also prohibited the Ittehadul Muslimeen, a Shia Muslim organization led by Maulvi Masroor Abbas Ansari.
This organization, previously directed by Maulvi Abbas Ansari, was part of the separatist All Parties Hurriyat Conference, and for three years, the late Abbas Ansari also chaired the Hurriyat Conference.
