Brussels, Ali Raza Syed, Chairman of the Kashmir Council Europe (KC-EU), has strongly condemned the Indian government’s restrictions on religious freedom in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), particularly criticizing the ban on the procession of the last Friday of Ramazan at the main Jamia Mosque in Srinagar.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Syed described the lockdown of the Jamia Masjid in Srinagar during Jumatul-Wida (the last Friday of Ramazan) as a condemnable act, urging the international community to recognize and address the suppression of religious rights in the region. He highlighted that the closure of the mosque and the prevention of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from leading prayers are severe violations of the religious freedoms of Kashmiri Muslims.

Syed pointed out that the Indian government has a history of infringing upon the religious rights of Kashmiris, dating back to 1947. He emphasized the ongoing nature of these restrictions, noting that significant religious gatherings, including those during Ramazan and Eid, have been systematically banned in occupied Kashmir.

Furthermore, Syed accused the Indian authorities of committing serious human rights abuses in Kashmir, including extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, fake encounters, and sexual assaults against women. He argued that these actions are part of a broader strategy to silence the Kashmiri people’s call for self-determination.

The KC-EU leader called on the international community to pressure the Indian government to respect and allow religious practices in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting the importance of addressing these injustices on a global scale.