Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid shut on Shab-e-Baraat, Omar says ‘decision betrays lack of confidence’

“It is very unfortunate that the security establishment has taken the decision to seal the historic Jamia Masjid, Srinagar, on one of the holiest nights in the Islamic calendar – Shab-e-Baraat. This decision betrays a lack in confidence in the people and a lack of confidence in the law and order machinery that calm won’t prevail without extreme measures. The people of Srinagar deserved better,” he posted on X.

The Anjuman Auqaf (management) of Jamia Masjid said that on Thursday afternoon, police asked worshippers to vacate the premises and closed the gates. The management said the police informed them that the night prayers for Shab-e-Baraat would not be allowed.

The police also put Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who traditionally leads the night prayers at the mosque, under house arrest early on Thursday.

This is the sixth consecutive year that police have not allowed Shab-e-Baraat prayers at the Jamia Masjid. The prayers have been stopped since 2019.

Terming the ban a repressive measure, the Anjuman Auqaf said, “It is deeply unfortunate that every time an important religious occasion arrives, people in large numbers who visit the Jama Masjid are left disappointed to find the grand mosque forcibly closed and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq barred from fulfilling his religious responsibilities. Such repeated restrictions not only hurt the sentiments of the people but also infringe upon their fundamental religious rights.”

While the J&K police did not comment on the development, in a post on X, the Kashmir Zone Police wrote, “IGP Kashmir wishes people on the eve of Shab-e-Baraat. May this blessed night bring harmony, happiness, and prosperity to all.”