Srinagar, Feb 08 (KNO): Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) Jammu and Kashmir has expressed serious concern over the fact that its founder and patron Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq, continues to remain under detention since August 4, 2019, and that he completed three and a half years of house detention on February 5, 2023.

In a statement, , the MMU said that apart from the prolonged detention of Mirwaiz, the mimbar-o-mihrab (pulpit) of the historic Central Jama Masjid Srinagar have been rendered silent for the last three and a half years which otherwise would reverberate with the sermons of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir.

“However, such an authoritarian step of the administration to keep the valley’s top religious leader under continued detention amounts to a grave violation of religious and human rights. This also hurts the sentiments and feelings of the people and devotees, against which the public resentment and anxiety is increasing with each passing day,” it said.

The MMU members said that it is a matter of concern for the people, scholars, imams, khateebs, mashaaikhs and intellectuals as well as all sections of society that the top religious leader of Kashmir is being barred from performing his religious duties and obligations and complete restrictions are being imposed on his peaceful activities.

The members urged the authorities, especially Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, to ensure the unconditional release of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir in view of the arrival of the holy month of Rajab especially Shab e Baraat so that he discharges his centuries-old official duties like his illustrious predecessors and also fulfill his obligations towards the people.

In this regard, a consultative meeting will be called soon, the MMU announced. It also called for the release of other religious scholars who are arrested under PSA and lodged in different jails

The constituent organisations of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema include Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid Srinagar, Darul Uloom Raheemiya Bandipora, Grand Mufti’s Muslim Personal Law Board, Anjuman Shari-e-Shiaan, Jamiat Ahle Hadeeth, Jama’at-e-Islami, Karwaan-e-Islami, Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen, Anjuman-ul-Islam, Anjuman Tabligh-e-Islam, Jamiat Hamdaniyyah, Anjuman Ulema-e-Ahnaf, Darul Uloom Qasmiya, Darul Uloom Bilaliya, Anjuman Nusrat-ul-Islam, Anjuman Mazharul Haq, Jamiat-ul-Aima Wal Ulema, Anjuman Aima Wa Mashaaikh Kashmir, Darul Uloom Naqshbandiyya, Darul Uloom Rasheediyyah, Ahle Bayt Foundation, Madrasah Kanz-ul-Uloom, Peerwaan-e-Wilayat, Auqaf Islamia Khurram Sirhama, Bazm-e-Tawheed Ahle Hadeeth Trust, Anjuman Tanzeem-al-Makatib, Muhammadi Trust, Anjuman Anwar-ul-Islam, Kaarwaan-e-Khatam-e-Nabuwat, Darul Uloom Syed Al Mursaleen, Anjuman Ulema and Aima Masaajid, Falah Dareen Trust Welfare Society Islamabad, Idarah Wahdat-ul-Makaatib Jammu Kashmir, Darul Uloom Imdaadiya Natipora and other contemporary religious, social and educational associations and their representatives