The Jammu and Kashmir Police have disallowed congregational night prayers at Srinagar’s historic Jamia Masjid on Shab-e-Baraat. Along with sealing the mosque, the police placed Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house detention.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah criticized the decision, calling it “unfortunate” and a sign of distrust in both the public and the law-and-order system.
“It is very unfortunate that the security establishment has decided 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 of confidence in the people and the law & order machinery, suggesting that calm can’t be maintained without extreme measures. The people of Srinagar deserved better,” he said.
Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid, the managing body of the mosque, also expressed disappointment, highlighting that this is the sixth consecutive year that authorities have prevented Shab-e-Baraat observances. The organization called the move a violation of religious rights, stating, “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.”
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the restrictions, posting on X (formerly Twitter), “Shocked to hear about Mirwaiz Sahab’s illegal house arrest today on the occasion of Shab-e-Baraat. Not only this, but the Jama Masjid has also been locked up and kept out of bounds for the general public. Utterly disrespectful and unwarranted. Hoping for some answers.”
While the J&K police have not commented on the restrictions, the Kashmir Zone Police posted on X, “IGP Kashmir wishes people on the eve of Shab-e-Baraat. May this blessed night bring harmony, happiness, and prosperity to all.”
