Srinagar, In a move that has drawn criticism and concern, the BJP-led administration in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) shut down the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar and placed Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a prominent leader of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), under house arrest on Juma-ul-Vida, the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid, responsible for the mosque’s management, disclosed that officials, including the district magistrate and police, instructed them early Friday to close the mosque’s doors, prohibiting the traditional Jumat-ul-Vida prayers. Concurrently, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was detained in his home in the Nigeen Hazratbal locality of Srinagar, preventing him from leading or participating in the significant religious observance.

This enforcement action was accompanied by the deployment of a significant number of Indian paramilitary and police forces around the Jamia Masjid area, signaling the administration’s intent to enforce the closure strictly.