Jamia on 4th Friday

No prayers in Jamia on 4^th Friday

Mirwaiz asks Islamic World to take notice

Srinagar July 23: While as severe restrictions prevented people from offering Friday prayers for fourth consecutive week, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq asked the Islamic world to take strong notice and realize its responsibility towards the joint cause.

Reports said that like past three weeks, Jamia Masjid, in the heart of the old city remained out of bounds for the worshippers due to imposition of curfew-like restrictions by the state administration to thwart the proposed ‘Khanqah Challo’ march called by Hurriyat Conference (G).

Hundreds of CRPF and policemen, armed sophisticated weapons, enforced strict restrictions in Nowhatta and adjoining areas including Rajouri Kadal, Gojwara and Bohridala.

“It is highly condemnable that Muslims have been prevented from offering the prayers by imposing curfew, curfew-like restrictions,” Mirwaiz Umar, who is under house arrest for past several weeks, said in a statement here.

“One can imagine the importance of Friday prayers from the fact that Allah has asked Muslims to suspend all works and offer the prayers. But unfortunately, the administrators either fail to understand it or carry out such act deliberately,” he said in the statement.

Mirwaiz appealed to the conscientious Islamic world leaders and Organization of Islamic Conference to take strong notice of it and realize religious and joint responsibility toward the cause, the statement added.

Due to the similar restrictions, devotees could not offer prayers in many other mosques situated at the main roads or highways. Friday prayers, however, were offered in interior parts of the capital city.