Appeals Govt to release him immediately
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 23: Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid today expressed its disappointment over the continuous barring of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Moulvi Umar Farooq from delivering Friday sermons at the historic Jamia Masjid here.
In a statement, the Anjuman Auqaf highlighted that it has been a record 200 Fridays since the Mirwaiz was prevented from continuing the centuries-old tradition, which, it said, “has caused immense pain and anguish among the Muslim community in the Valley.”
Despite numerous appeals from various sections and quarters within J&K and beyond, it said, authorities have consistently denied the release of the Mirwaiz.
In response to “this ongoing religious repression”, Auqaf said, a protest was held during the Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid, where a large number of men and women fervently demanded the immediate release of the Mirwaiz.
“The absence of the Mirwaiz since August 2019 has left the pulpit of Jamia Masjid silent, depriving the community of an essential source of religious, moral education, and spiritual solace.”
Speaking on behalf of Anjuman, Imam Hai of Jamia Masjid, Ahmed Syed Naqdhbandi, expressed dismay at the authorities’ “disregard” for repeated appeals to allow the Mirwaiz to resume his responsibilities.
He said that before the start of Ramadan, a delegation of prominent religious leaders and scholars associated with the Muttahida Majlis e Ulema (MMU) had written a letter to the LG, requesting an appointment to discuss the release of the Mirwaiz and other pressing issues, but to no avail.
The Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid appealed to the Government to release Mirwaiz immediately, “allowing him to resume his important role in delivering Friday sermons and providing spiritual guidance to the people of Kashmir. “
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