The authorities continued to disallow people from offering mandatory Friday congregational prayers in the historic Jamia Masjid here on the 16th consecutive Friday today.It is the longest period in recent that Jamia Masjid have been locked down after Maharaja Rule.Pertinently, the separatist leadership including Hurriyat (G) chairman, Syed Ali Geelani, Hurriyat (M) chairman, Mirwaiz Molvi Umar Farooq and JKLF chief, Muhammad Yasin Malik in a joint protest programme had called for Jamia Masjid chalo today.However, the authorities imposed strict restrictions to foil the Jamia Masjid chalo march called by the separatist leadership. Meanwhile, for the sixteen consecutive Friday today, the authorities didn’t allow congregational prayers at historic Jamia Masjid nor did they permit the call for prayers, much to the disappointment of thousands of devotees who would normally offer Friday prayers there.
According to the residents in the area, huge deployment of forces was deployed in the wee hours of this morning in the locality. They said that they were not being allowed to move outside. “As the Jamia Masjid remained closed today as well, we were forced to offer mandatory Friday prayers in small Masjids,” residents said. Pertinently, Hurriyat (M) chairman and Jamia Masjid’s head preacher, Mirwaiz Molvi Umar Farooq had said that they will defy the curfew and will offer Friday prayers in the historic Masjid today.However, as soon as Hurriyat (M) chairman tried to move towards Jamia Masjid from his Nigeen residence, he was detained by the forces.Reports said that the Mirwaiz was lodged at Nigeen Police station. Notably, the last Friday prayers were offered at the historic Masjid on July 8, on the third day of Eid-ul-Fitr. People in Srinagar mostly prefer to offer Friday prayers at the Masjid. (KNS)