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Mirwaiz again prevented from leaving his residence, leading Friday prayers at Srinagar’s Grand Mosque

Last week, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs banned the political outfit that the Mirwaiz leads, the Awami Action Committee, as well as the Jammu and Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM) led by Mohammad Abbas Ansari.

The ban on the two Hurriyat organisations comes after a gap of several years of such action by the Centre against outfits in Kashmir. (Express File Photo/Shuaib Masoodi)

Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was prevented from leading congregational Friday prayers at Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid once again as authorities restricted him to his residence.

Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid, the governing body that runs Srinagar’s grand mosque, expressed “deep disappointment and regret”, saying that its president was again placed under house detention, preventing him from delivering the Friday sermon at the mosque in Nowhatta.

Last week, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs banned the political outfit that the Mirwaiz leads, the Awami Action Committee, as well as the Jammu and Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM) led by Mohammad Abbas Ansari. Both were constituents of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, chaired by the Mirwaiz.

“This arbitrary and unjustified move by the authorities comes at a time when the holy month of Ramzan is going on. Jamia Masjid is the central place of worship where thousands gather for Friday prayers, seeking guidance, blessings, and connection with the Almighty,” the Auqaf said in a statement.

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They added that barring the Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir from fulfilling his religious duties and preventing the faithful from benefiting from his sermons is deeply hurtful to the religious sentiments of the people.

The Anjuman emphasised that it is “distressing and disappointing” for the people who travel far and wide to listen to his sermons. “Such restrictions, especially during the sacred month of Ramzan, are completely uncalled for and go against the principles of religious freedom,” the Auqaf stated.

Demanding that the Mirwaiz be “immediately released” from house detention so that he can carry on with his religious obligations, the body urged people to continue their prayers amidst such “unjustified curbs.”

Naveed Iqbal

Naveed Iqbal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, and reports from Jammu and Kashmir. With a career spanning over 15 years in frontline journalism, Naveed provides authoritative reporting on the region’s transition, governance, and the socio-political implications of national policies. Expertise Regional Specialization: Based in the Srinagar and New Delhi bureaus, Naveed has spent over a decade documenting the unique challenges of Jammu and Kashmir. Her reporting is distinguished by deep contextual knowledge of the region's post-Article 370, statehood debates, and local electoral politics. Key Coverage Beats: Her extensive body of work covers: Politics & Governance: Tracking the National Conference (NC), PDP, and BJP dynamics, including in-depth coverage of J&K’s first Assembly sessions and Rajya Sabha polls following the reorganization of the state. Internal Security & Justice: Providing rigorous reporting on counter-insurgency operations, terror module investigations, and judicial developments involving political detainees and constitutional rights. Education & Minority Affairs: Highlighting systemic issues such as quota rows in J&K, public service commission reforms, and the challenges faced by minority communities. ... Read More

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