Kashmir’s chief priest, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, claimed he was put under house arrest. File picture
| Photo Credit: ANI
Authorities on Friday (March 20, 2026) disallowed Kashmir chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to pray at historic Jamia Masjid, in the wake of the heightened tensions due to the Iran-U.S. war. Meanwhile, several regional leaders of the political parties attended congregations prayers in Srinagar.
The Mirwaiz, in a post on social media platforms, said he was not allowed to head for the Jamia Masjid, where he delivers his weekly sermons and leads the prayers.
Also Read | Barred from Jama Masjid, Mirwaiz’s online sermon calls for ‘dialogue on Kashmir’
“For the third consecutive Friday in Ramzan, I have been put under arbitrary house arrest; never conveyed in writing. Instead, enforced by placing police vehicles and large contingents in front of my gate and the entire area, choking gully points and lanes with concertina wires, disallowing traffic movement, all to prevent me from delivering the Friday sermon,” said the Mirwaiz.
He said such measures reflected “panic of the rulers”. “The centrality of Jamia Masjid for the Muslims of the region has unfortunately always been a thorn in their side, as are Muslim institutions and identity which they want to undermine,” the Mirwaiz said.
Meanwhile, hundreds of worshippers attended congregational prayers in the Jamia Masjid and the Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar. National Conference president Farooq Abdullah also attended a gathering in Srinagar to offer prayers.
Speaking after the nimaz, Mr. Abdullah said, “The current war (in the Middle East) will have severe consequences not only for the Indian economy but for the world economy. I prayed to the Almighty that the problems faced by the Muslim words end soon.”
Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti, who also offered prayers in Srinagar, in a post on X, highlighted the issue of Muslims in New Delhi.
“Right wing fanatics and lumpen elements in Uttam Nagar, New Delhi are openly baying for the blood of Muslims & how rivers of blood will flow tomorrow on Eid. Understandably this has caused considerable panic and anxiety amongst many Muslims families who have fled to escape the impending violence,” said Ms. Mufti.
She urged the Prime Minister and Home Minister “to intervene before the situation worsens leading to loss of innocent lives”.
Published – March 20, 2026 02:18 pm IST
