Srinagar: Devotees in Srinagar were barred from conducting Friday prayers as the Grand Mosque remained shut on December 24. The mosque was closed for the 20th consecutive week since August 06, 2021, to prevent the spread of the virus.
Altaf Ahmad Bhat, Secretary of the Jamia Masjid Auqaf, said, “We have now lost count of the number of times the mosque has been closed for Friday prayers. The police visit the premises every Friday morning, refuse praying permission, and seal the mosque without giving any reason.”
Situated in Nowhatta of old Srinagar, the 6 century-old Jamia Majid or Grand Mosque was first closed after abolishing Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in 2019 and remained shut on 44 out of 52 Fridays in 2021.
“We are unable to understand how all places of worship – mosques, shrines, imambargahs, and khanqahs in Jammu and Kashmir are open for Friday prayers, but Jamia Masjid continues to be selectively banned and restricted. It is extremely unfortunate, incomprehensible, and this unacceptable behaviour is tantamount to sheer interference in religion and hurting the religious sentiments and feelings of Muslims,” he added.
Meanwhile, the renovated 125-year-old St. Luke’s Church was reopened ahead of Christmas in Srinagar. The J&K Governor Manoj Sinha virtually inaugurated the Church on Thursday and said, “Reopening of St Luke’s Church in Srinagar after restoration is a historic occasion to celebrate and imbibe Lord Christ’s message of sacrifice, service, redemption, love, and compassion. It is a unique example of the valley’s composite culture.”
(Avya Mathur)