Srinagar�s Jamia Masjid opens for prayers, first time since J&K special status was revoked

Mangalore Today News Network

Srinagar, Dec 18, 2019: For the first time since August 5, when Jammu and Kashmir’s special status was revoked, congregational prayers were held at Srinagar’s historic Jamia Masjid on Wednesday, Hindustan Times reported.

 

“Congregational prayers were offered at Jamia Masjid in the afternoon after a gap of 136 days,” PTI said quoting officials, Hindustan Times reported.

It is for the first time since August 5, when authorities had sealed all the entry points to the mosque, that prayers were offered collectively at the mosque in Nowhatta area of the city.

Though security restrictions in the area were lifted after a few weeks, local residents had refused to offer prayers in the mosque till the heavy deployment of security forces around it was removed.

The grand mosque was first cleaned by the mosque authorities - Anjuman-e-Auqaf - headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who also heads a faction of Hurriyat Conference.

The authorities lifted restrictions on prayers last month.

Some 150 odd worshippers were present for Zuhr prayers at the historic masjid.

Friday congregational prayers have not been held at the mosque for the past 19 weeks -- the longest gap in over 50 years.

The political leaders in the state continue to be under house arrest. As many as 33 political leaders of different mainstream political parties are currently lodged at MLA hostel in the heart of the city.