Mirwaiz put under house arrest for fourth consecutive Friday : Anjuman

Srinagar : Hurriyat Chairman and Kashmir’s Chief Cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was put under house detention yet again and not allowed to address the Friday congregation at Jama Masjid in downtown Srinagar, according to the mosque’s managing body Anjuman Auqaf.

The Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid condemned the continued house detention of Mirwaiz.

“Today marks the fourth consecutive Friday that Mirwaiz was prevented from offering prayers and delivering his sermon at the historic Jamia Masjid. This continued barring of the revered leader from performing his religious commitments is deeply disturbing and unacceptable,” Anjuman said in a statement.

It said Mirwaiz has already filed a rejoinder in the court hearing his detention petition.

“It is extremely sad that the government claims Mirwaiz is ‘free’ yet prevents him from attending the Jamia Masjid on Fridays, without even bothering to prove otherwise,” the statement added. “It shows how unaccountable the government is to the people and their religious sentiments.”

The Anjuman further expressed disappointment, stating, “The Prime Minister and the Home Minister talk of their vision of a ‘Naya Kashmir,’ but it is a strange new reality where the voice of peace, spiritual guidance, and dialogue is silenced. The unjust treatment of Mirwaiz is far removed from their rhetoric.”

The Anjuman Auqaf demanded the immediate release of Mirwaiz from house detention and the restoration of his rights and the rights of Kashmiri people.

“We call on all conscientious citizens and human rights organizations to raise their voices against this injustice,” the statement said.