Only Kashmir News Desk
Srinagar, Aug 05 (Only Kashmir): In a significant development the Kashmir Valley’s grand mosque Jama Masjid is all set to regain its glory this week on the occasion of Friday congregational prayers. The mosque’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who is under house arrest for the last two years is also likely to be released and is expected to join the prayers followed by delivering sermon at the mosque.
Cleaning drive at Jamia Masjid under the auspices of the Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid Srinagar is going on in full swing as the Friday congregational prayers will be offered in Masjid after a long lull which was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Since the Covid positive cases have slowed down and Friday prayers are now being offered in all central mosques, khanqahs, shrines and imambaras of Jammu and Kashmir; Friday prayers will be offered on coming Friday in Jama Masjid Srinagar,” reads a press statement issued by Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid Srinagar, adding, as per the guidelines of medical experts, the worshippers will take precautionary measures and strictly adhere to Covid SOPs during the Friday and daily prayers.
Meanwhile, highly placed sources told Onlykashmir[dot]in that the mosque’s chief cleric and Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq is all set to be released this week from house detention after a gap of long two years “as such he will be free to join the prayers.”
Pertinently, in march this year there were reports that Mirwaiz would be released and allowed to offer prayers at Jama Masjid , a number of media outlets carried the news about his release, however, authorities then backtrack its decision about the release of Mirwaiz with the reasons known to them only.
Mirwaiz had been under house arrest since 04 August 2019 when the Government of India all of sudden scrapped the special status of J&K and split the erstwhile state into two Union territories of J&K and Ladakh.
A number of social, religious and political organizations time and again over the last two years are making fervent appeals to government regarding the release of Mirwaiz.
Pertinent to mention here, the LG administration last week lifts ban on Muharram procession in Kashmir after 3 decades.
