No Friday prayers in Jamia again

Srinagar: While there was no Friday prayers in historic Jamia Masjid for ‘eighth’ consecutive week, the chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M), Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has summoned a meeting of ulemas (religious scholars) on November 02 to chalk out a joint strategy against the “anti-Muslim” policy of government.

“We strongly condemn the incessant attempts by government to hurt the religious sentiments of the Muslims,” a spokesman quoted Mirwaiz as saying in a statement here to Press Bureau of India.

The state administration had clamped curfew from dusk and the restrictions continued for day. Due to the clampdown, no prayers were offered in grand Jamia as well other big and small mosques surrounding it, reports quoting eyewitnesses said.

“To formalize a joint strategy against the autocratic and anti-Muslims acts of the government, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has convened a meeting of ulemas and clerics on November 02 at Mirwaiz Manzil (Rajouri Kadal here),” the spokesman said, stating that there has been lot of anger and anxiety among the Muslims in the Valley.

t is in place to mention here that during the recently concluded session of state assembly, various legislators had expressed dismay over the continuous siege of the Jamia mosque.

Those who had decried the curbs included CPI (M) General Secretary M Y Tarigami, PDF Chairman Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen, Independent legislator Engineer Abdul Rasheed alongside ruling National Conference legislators, Nazir Gurezi and Peer Afaaq. The legislator had also urged government to revisit the policy for imposing Curfew.

Earlier this year, it was after six weeks that congressional prayers were offered in the grand Mosque on August 13 last.

Meanwhile, Mirwaiz, who was placed under house arrest, condemned Public safety Act against Muslim Khawateen Markz chairperson, Yasmeena Raja. “Mirwaiz also condemned the unabated arrest and crackdown against youth,” the spokesman said, adding he also reiterated appeal to release allthe detainees.