Srinagar, August 24, 2021 (PPI-OT): In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Anjuman Aufaq Jamia Masjid, Srinagar, said that operation Jamia Masjid in 1989 greatly hurt the religious sentiments of the Muslims of the territory. According to Kashmir Media Service, Indian troops had raided and desecrated the Srinagar Jamia Masjid on August 25 in 1989.
The Anjuman Aufaq Jamia Masjid in a statement issued in Srinagar said this desecration of the mosque had greatly hurt the deep rooted emotional and religious sentiments of the Muslims of the valley. It said that the action was an attempt to cow down the then Mirwaiz, Molvi Muhammad Farooq (RA), to desist from advocating the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. But Shaheed-e-Millat (RA) known for his courage and conviction, his rock-solid resolve could not be shaken by such conspiracies, and till date the pulpit of Jamia Masjid Srinagar continues to raise the voice of the people and represent their sentiments and aspirations, it said.
The Anjuman said the Jamia Masjid Srinagar symbolises the unique cultural and religious identity and history of Jammu and Kashmir and its Muslims and the Mirwaizeen down the centuries through their unique style of preaching from its pulpit and the subsequent connection with the people, have not only preserved and promoted that identity but added to it.
“Given the political uncertainty and upheavals that unfolded in Jammu and Kashmir and the consequent political turmoils, the pulpit could not stay immune to these developments affecting the people. The Mirwaizeen naturally guided the people in this situation, and the pulpit came to represent the political sentiments and aspiration of the people and its realization,” it added.
The statement said, it is for this reason that the Masjid and the Mirwaizeen are targeted by those in authority. Time and again, by force, the gates of this pivotal socio-religious centre of Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir are closed to people for weeks and months, causing them great distress, while for the last two years, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has been placed under house arrest by the authorities, it deplored.
The Anjuman said of late, despite the significant reduction in COVID-19 cases, and even after putting in place all SOPs, the authorities have not allowed the Central Jamia Masjid to be opened for prayers. It said the coming Friday it will again attempt to keep the Masjid open for worshippers with all COVID-19 precautions, if the authorities allowed.
For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
Phone: +92-51-4435548, +92-51-4435549
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Email: info@kmsnews.org
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