Why Was Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Prevented From Leading Prayers for Snowfall This Friday?

Key Takeaways

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was denied the chance to lead Friday prayers.

The Kashmir Valley is experiencing an unusual dry spell.

Community prayers are vital for expressing hopes for snowfall.

The Awami Action Committee has been declared unlawful by the MHA.

Many are concerned about the implications of the dry winter.

Srinagar, Jan 9 (NationPress) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the prominent religious leader of Kashmir, announced on Friday that he was placed under house arrest by the authorities, which prevented him from participating in communal prayers requesting rain and snow for Jammu and Kashmir.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expressed on X, “Another Friday has passed, and once again, the authorities have barred me from going to Jama Masjid. It is incredibly disheartening that I could not lead the community in collective 'dua' (prayer) for rain and snow during this unusually dry winter. Our prayers are our strength, may Allah accept them.”

The Kashmir Valley is experiencing an unusual dry spell, with the region yet to see its first snowfall of the season.

There is growing concern among the populace about the lack of significant snowfall this season, which is crucial for replenishing the mountain water reservoirs that sustain various water bodies during the summer months.

Across the Valley, congregational prayers were held on Friday in hopes of divine mercy for a substantial snowfall during the remaining days of the ongoing 40-day long ‘Chillai Kalan’, which concludes on January 30.

As the chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq traditionally leads Friday prayers at the Jamia Masjid in the Nowhatta area of old Srinagar, where he also delivers sermons.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq took on the role of chief cleric in 1990 following the assassination of his father, Mirwaiz Maulana Mohammad Farooq, at their residence in Nigeen on May 21, 1990.

Following his father's death, Mirwaiz Umar also assumed leadership of the Awami Action Committee, which was established in 1993 during the holy relic agitation in Kashmir.

However, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has declared the Awami Action Committee an unlawful organization.

Recently, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq removed the title of chairman of the separatist conglomerate, All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) from his profile on X.

Both groups within the APHC, the moderate faction led by Mirwaiz Umar and the hardline faction previously led by the late Syed Ali Geelani, have also been designated as unlawful organizations by the MHA.

Point of View

Where political and religious leaders often face restrictions. While the community's desire for snow is genuine, it intertwines with broader issues of governance and civil liberties. The importance of communal prayers in such circumstances cannot be overstated, reflecting both hope and resilience in the face of adversity.

NationPress

10 May 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was Mirwaiz Umar Farooq placed under house arrest?

Authorities placed him under house arrest to prevent him from leading prayers for rain and snow, reflecting ongoing tensions in the region.

What is the significance of communal prayers for snowfall?

Communal prayers serve as a spiritual gathering for the community, expressing their hopes for rain and snow, which are vital for the region’s water resources.

What is 'Chillai Kalan'?

'Chillai Kalan' is a 40-day period in Kashmir known for its harsh winter, during which heavy snowfall is expected.

What impact does the lack of snowfall have?

Insufficient snowfall affects water reservoirs in the mountains, which are crucial for sustaining water bodies during the summer months.

What has the MHA declared about the Awami Action Committee?

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has labeled the Awami Action Committee as an unlawful organization.