Omar Abdullah slams mosque closure on Eid, questions ‘normalcy’ claim

SRINAGAR\JAMMU: J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah expressed grave concern Saturday over Eid prayers being blocked at Srinagar’s historic Jamia Mosque, terming it “regrettable” and questioning LG Manoj Sinha-led administration’s claims of “normality” in the Union territory.

“Across J&K, Eid prayers were offered. But prayers were not allowed at Jamia Mosque. It exposes the administration that controls security and law and order. They repeatedly say the situation is completely normal. What kind of normalcy is it when permission is not given to offer prayers at Srinagar’s biggest mosque,” Omar said at Hazratbal shrine.

He expressed hope that such decisions would be reviewed and people would be allowed to offer prayers freely. Under J&K’s UT arrangement since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, police and security fall under LG Sinha’s jurisdiction.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the chief cleric of Kashmir who delivers sermons at Jamia Mosque, said he was placed under house arrest and the shrine was locked. Sharing pictures on X of the locked mosque, Mirwaiz pointed out that this was the seventh year of restrictions. “A day of celebration turned to grief and denial for Muslims. It’s an irony of our times that those who lock our mosques and Eidgahs are the first to wish us Eid Mubarak,” Mirwaiz wrote.

LG Sinha was among the key public figures, apart from CM Omar, who extended Eid greetings to people. “The sacred festival embodies the noble spirit of sacrifice and the joy of sharing. May Eid usher in peace, prosperity and happiness for all,” the LG posted.

Mirwaiz said he was placed under house arrest on Friday, with the authorities “choking lanes and bylanes with concertina wire and disallowing movement”. Since his release in Sept 2023 after four years of house arrest following Article 370’s scrapping, Mirwaiz has faced frequent restrictions, with the police detaining him at home ahead of Friday prayers and Eid.

This time, J&K Police did not comment on the curbs, only saying prayers in Srinagar were held peacefully and urging people to celebrate with responsibility.

In Jammu, though, the festival was marked by fervour, traditional gaiety and special prayers for an end to the West Asia conflict.

People in festive attire thronged various sites. The main congregation was held at Eidgah, where thousands offered Eid namaz. Rattan Lal Gupta, Jammu chief of CM Omar’s National Conference (NC), visited the site, emphasising the region’s tradition of communal amity.

NC MLA Bashir Ahmad Veeri lamented that global conflicts have led to rising prices and hardships. “We pray that wisdom prevails, the (Iran) war ends, and people get relief from suffering. We also pray for peace and brotherhood in our country,” Veeri said.
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