Dr. Farooq Abdullah condemns disallowing of prayers at Jamia Masjid

Srinagar, Apr 14: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President and Member of the Parliament from Srinagar Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Friday condemned disallowing of Jumat-Ul-Vida prayers at the historical Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta.
Calling out administration’s highhandedness, Dr Farooq said the measure is a clear violation and interference with the religious rights of the people. “Jamia Masjid is the central mosque and an epicentre of faith of millions of Muslims across J&K. Having this great mosque out of bounds for people on the auspicious day of Jumat-ul-Vida is highly deplorable,’ he told in a statement issued to media.
Such unwarranted curbs hurt the religious sentiments of millions and are unsuited to the country’s democratic, secular moorings besides debunking the claims of government on changed ground situation across Kashmir,” he said adding, the continuous detention of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq is a matter of great concern and violative of basic human rights.
Dr Abdullah said the constitution provides for freedom of conscience and the rights of all individuals to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion.
“The same should not be denied to Mirwaiz. His prolonged detention hurts the religious sentiments of people, who would otherwise hear the pulpit and spirals of Jamia Masjid reverberate with his sermons, especially on Fridays.”