Islamabad, Muhammad Farooq Rehmani, Senior leader of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK) chapter, has denounced the continuation of the closure of Jamia Masjid in Srinagar and the prohibition on prayers for Palestine, marking it as a grave act. This move follows heightened tensions and restrictions imposed on religious leaders, including the house arrest of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, across the Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
According to a news release by Kashmir Media Service, Rehmani, in a statement from Islamabad, expressed severe objections to the suppression of imams in IIOJK, particularly those sending out prayers for the safety and peace in Gaza and the Occupied Western part. He firmly condemned any form of bombardment and voiced his disapproval for the restrictions placed on prayers for peace in Palestine within the IIOJK.
Reflecting on India’s historical stance on the issue, Rehmani highlighted what he views as a deviation from the policies of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawahar Lal Nehru. He noted that in 1948, under Nehru’s leadership, India upheld a pro-Palestine position in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), voting against the division of Palestine.
Rehmani underlined the significance of freedom to pray for the Palestinians, emphasizing the importance of Al Aqsa, Al Qudus Sharif, and Jerusalem to the Muslim community. He expressed solidarity with the Palestinians facing hardships and advocated for their rights and the pursuit of independence.
Drawing parallels between the situations in Kashmir and Palestine, Rehmani expressed his sorrow over the disruption of peace in both regions, attributing the turmoil to the colonial policies and occupation tactics of both India and Israel.