For the eighth consecutive year, authorities in Srinagar denied permission for Eid prayers at the historic Eidgah and Jama Masjid in the old city on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Hurriyat chairman and chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was placed under house arrest, according to news agency PTI.
Mirwaiz Reacts to Restrictions
Reacting to the restrictions, the chief cleric said on X, “For the eighth consecutive year, Muslims of Kashmir have been denied the right to offer Eid prayers at the historic Eidgah/Jama Masjid, and I have been placed under house arrest.” He alleged that people in Kashmir were facing restrictions even on the occasion of Eid. “On the revered and celebratory occasion of Eid, Muslims of Kashmir are greeted with barricades, restrictions, locked gates and intimidation,” he said.
A Systematic Assault on Religious Identity
Calling the situation deeply painful, Mirwaiz added, “This is not governance; it is a systematic assault on our religious identity, dignity and fundamental rights which deeply hurts us.” He further said it was unfortunate that many children in Kashmir were growing up without experiencing Eid prayers at the Eidgah. “An entire generation is being deprived of knowing their traditions and making memories that have shaped our collective life for centuries,” he said.
Faith Cannot Be Imprisoned
Mirwaiz also asserted that “faith cannot be imprisoned or suppressed through force”. “But let those in power know that no power on earth can erase the deep spiritual bond people of Kashmir share with Eidgah, Jama Masjid and their religious institutions,” he asserted.
This recurring denial of access to historic religious sites for Eid prayers continues to be a point of contention in the region, highlighting ongoing tensions between religious practices and administrative restrictions.
