Srinagar, Feb 10: Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema Jammu & Kashmir reacted strongly to the administration’s persistent decision to impose undue restrictions on its Ameer, Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq, by repeatedly disallowing him to deliver the religious sermons on Fridays at the historic Jama Masjid and perform the obligatory Friday prayers, MMU said in a statement issued to Daily Spark News.
Terming it as a grave violation of the Mirwaiz’s religious freedom and direct interference in the religious affairs of the Muslims of valley, MMU said it is a serious concern for the religious organisation and the people of the state.
MMU said that the scheduled sermon of the Mirwaiz on the auspicious occasion of Meraj-ul-Nabi (SAW) in Jama Masjid Srinagar was also not allowed and he was detained at his residence.
It is beyond our comprehension as to why the government is repeatedly detaining the Mirwaiz at his home on Fridays and important religious occasions. Being released from detention after more than four years, Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir was allowed to offer Friday prayers at the Jama Masjid Srinagar only on three Fridays. This unjust gesture seriously hurts the sentiments of the people of Kashmir associated with the Mirwaiz and Jama Masjid .
Such disregard of the administration towards Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who is the top-most religious leader of Kashmir, and lakhs of his followers is extremely regrettable, the MMU said.Claims of ‘normalcy ‘ by the authorities are also completely belied by this measure, it added .
MMU said that it urges the government to stop its authoritarian approach and allow the Mirwaiz to carry forward his mission of religious propagation , unhindered.
Constituents of Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulama Jammu and Kashmir include Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid Srinagar, Darul Uloom Rahimiya Bandipora ,Muslim Personal Law Board of the Grand Mufti,, Anjuman Shari’i an Shi’a, Jamiat Ahle Hadith, Karwaan-e-Islami, Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen, Anjuman HImayat-ul-Islam, Anjuman Tabligh-ul-Islam, Jamiat Hamdaniyyah, Anjaman Ulamai Ahnaf, Darul Uloom Qasimiyyah, Darul Uloom Bilaliya, Anjuman Nusrat-ul-Islam, Anjuman Mazharul Haq, Jamiat Al Aima Wal Ulama, Anjuman Aima Wa Mashaikh Kashmir, Darul Uloom Naqshbandiyya, Darul Uloom Rashidiyyah, Ahlbayt Foundation, Madrasa Kanzul Uloom, Peerwan-e-Wilayat, Auqaf Islamia Khurram Sirhama, Bazm-e-Tawheed Ahle Hadith Trust, Anjuman Tanzeem-ul-Makaatib, Muhammadi Yateem Trust, Anwar-ul-Islam, Karvaane Khatam-e-Nabuwat, Darul Uloom Syed Al Mursaleen, Anjuman Ulama Wa Aima Masajid, Falah Dareen Trust Welfare Society Islamabad, Ashraf Uloom Hyderpora, Darul Uloom Dawoodiya Batamallo, Darul Uloom Furqania Nowshera, Darul Uloom Dawoodiya Khanyar, Jamiat Ulama Kashmir, Siraj Uloom, Idarah Wahdatul Makaatib Jammu and Kashmir, Darul Uloom Imdadiya Natipora, Darul Uloom Jamiat Al Rashaad Awantipora, Khanqah Muraadia Jama Masjid Kreeri, Darul Uloom Sawt-ul-Qur’an Gulshanabad Srinagar, and other religious, milli, social and educational organisations, reads the statement.
The Indian Express quoting souces as having said that with the escalation in the Israel-Palestine conflict since October 7, “there has been apprehension that he may address the issue in his Friday sermons”, which is why he has not been allowed to lead prayers on Friday. “It has been conveyed to him that if he sticks to his religious duties, there is no issue in addressing the people at the mosque,” the source added, as per The Indian Express