Unfurling of ISIS flag inside Jama Masjid evokes widespread condemnation

Bilal Bashir Bhat
Srinagar, Dec 29 (Only Kashmir): The unfurling of international terror outfit ISIS’ flags is not new in Kashmir, however, this time the masked youth putting aside the sanctity and the importance of mosque in Islam tried to unfurl the ISIS flags from the very sacred pulpit of Kashmir’s central mosque Jama Masjid Srinagar. The incident evoked widespread condemnations from the people belonging different shades of life and urged mosque’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to take action against what they say ‘goons’.
Pertinently, a video went viral on social media wherein a handful of youth are seen shouting slogans ‘Daulat-ul-Islam'(Islamic State), among them, one of the jean-clad masked youth climbed the pulpit the seat where a speaker (currently Mirwaiz Umar Farooq) used to deliver the sermon on Fridays and other occasions. Besides, many socio-political organizations a number of traders’ federations and people from different shades of life in strong possible words condemned the incident. The netizens on social media sites expressed anguish over incident what they termed the desecration of Jama Masjid.
The custodian of the mosque Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid strongly condemning the incident in a statement said, “a group of masked boys entered the mosque and rushed to the pulpit when one among them stood atop the pulpit with his shoes on, screaming slogans and creating ruckus. In the meantime his associates videotaped it and the video has been put on social media. This clearly indicates that this incident was deliberate and planned. It has naturally led to shock outrage and deep resentment among people and deeply hurt their sentiments associated with the mosque.”



Joint Resistance Leadership comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik while strongly condemning the incident termed it rowdyism and hooliganism on behest of ‘Agencies’ and said that such anti-Islamic acts would not be tolerated at any cost.
“It appears now that under a well planned design attempts are being made not only to damage this religious centre but also to change the course of the ongoing movement and create an atmosphere of confusion and anarchy among the masses so that the priceless sacrifices rendered in the movement go waste.”
“The JRL stressed upon people particularly the youth not to get swayed in emotions and see the real motives behind such elements and acts,” the JRL statement reads.
Awami Action Committee senior member Advocate Sheikh Yasir Dalal talking to Onlykashmir[dot]in said that such incidents can’t be tolerated, adding, one fails to understand why the security of the mosque failed to nab such culprits. He said that waving the ISIS flags is not only against our political ideology but is also an anti-Islamic act. Warning the ‘goons’ to refrain from such activities Advocate Yasir said, if this is not stopped than we have to look for other options.
“Jamia Masjid has played a historical religio-political role since it was constructed by Sultan Sikander. The Mirwaiz family has been playing a significant role since last more than a century. The waving of ISIS flags in the sacrosanct premises of Jamia Mosque and particularly desecrating the pulpit is condemnable. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq is globally known stalwart of Kashmir’s resistance leadership, he should take a strong notice of this event. ISIS has no place in Kashmir and its style of terrorism is unacceptable in Islam as on global level as well,” said Mushtaq ul Haq Ahmad Sikander a writer-activist and author based in Srinagar Kashmir while talking with Onlykashmir[dot]in.



A netizen Khalid Bazaz expressing anguish over the incident stated “Had never thought that a group of masses would lose their moral senses, their upright, kashmiriyat, sensibilities to subversive plotters and would be conned by certain sweet-talks and materialistic allurements. I felt offended to see the lowerings to such a depraved level that even the sanctity of Jamia Masjid was overshadowed by darkness, ignorance and sciolism.
Came to me like a bolt from the blue. “Khuda hum sab ko Hidayat bakhshay!”
Another user Naseem Qadri writes “Soon we’ll witness Masjid Aqsa like siege in #jamia Masjid. These paid radical self styled islamists who are ignorant about islamic principles and islam will one day traumatise common kashmiris ! When complete ban will be imposed to offer Nimaz in #jamiaMasjid . These stunts depicts a cooked conspiracy. #saveJamiaMasjid.”