Slogans against US, Israel echo in Kashmir Valley amid Iran strike fallout; curbs imposed

SRINAGAR: Protests broke out on Friday in some Shia-dominated areas of Kashmir, including Magam and Budgam, against the US-Israel strikes on Iran, news agency PTI reported quoting officials.Apprehending protests on the last Friday of Ramzan, authorities imposed restrictions in Srinagar and other parts of the valley, especially in Shia-dominated areas, in the morning.The restrictions on the assembly of people were imposed as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order in view of the likelihood of protests, the officials said. The protesters raised slogans against the US and Israel over the strikes on Iran and in support of Palestine, they said.However, the protests remained peaceful so far, the officials added.They said the situation was being monitored closely.Juma-tul-Vida, the last Friday of Ramzan, is also observed as Youm-ul-Quds to express solidarity with Palestine, and there were apprehensions of anti-Israel protests after the congregational prayers, the officials said.The authorities also shut the historic Jamia Masjid in the Nowhatta locality of the city."On the last Friday of holy Ramzan, when tens of thousands gather from towns and villages for prayers and supplication at the historic Jama Masjid Srinagar, its gates have once again been locked from all sides," Kashmir's chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said in a post on X.He said it was the seventh consecutive year, "the rulers have denied permission to Muslims to pray here"."As Israel has forcibly shut the gates of Masjid al-Aqsa during Ramzan, similar painful reality is witnessed here. Our hearts bleed. Shame on those who lock the houses of Allah against the faithful," the Mirwaiz added.(With agency inputs)