Mirwaiz again disallowed to offer Friday prayers at Jama Masjid: Anjuman Auqaf

Srinagar, Jan 05: The Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid Srinagar has stated that Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has been disallowed to offer and lead Friday prayers for consecutive 13 weeks at the historic Jama Masjid.

Terming the move as has termed it ‘unjustified,’ Anjuman in a statement said the administration is also not providing any genuine reason for such restrictions on Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, due to which the pulpit of the grand mosque remains silent.

“Such undue curbs his movement and activities are tantamount to interference in religious affairs and hurt the emotions and sentiments of the people of the valley, especially the devotees who throng the Jama Masjid on Fridays to listen to the his sermon,” reads the statement.

It reads that such behaviour of the government is not only sad in every sense but also smacks of its vindictive policy.

Meanwhile, Anjuman Auqaf has termed the drought like situation in the valley as extremely alarming, saying the lack of rain and snow in this season is a matter of concern not only for those associated with the agriculture sector but also for the common man.

It said there are even fears of spreading of various diseases due to the drought.

In this situation, the Auqaf has appealed to all imams, scholars, heads of religious institutions and the general public to organise ‘Namaz-e-Istisqa’ and pray to Almighty Allah at individual and collective levels for rain and respite from the harsh weather.

“We must seek forgiveness from Allah for our sins and organise meetings of repentance so that the Almighty will save us from this difficult situation,” it said.

It added that at the time of such trials, we should turn to Allah and seek His help through supplications and ask Him to make us steadfast on the path of Islam so that He delivers us from this difficult time. kns)