Mirwaiz barred from offering prayers at Jamia Masjid Srinagar for third consecutive Friday

SRINAGAR (KIMS) — The authorities on Friday once again barred Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from proceeding to Jamia Masjid Srinagar, preventing him from leading special prayers for rain and snowfall amid the continuing unusually dry winter in the Valley.

This was the third consecutive Friday that the Mirwaiz was denied permission to visit the historic mosque.

He had announced special collective prayers (dua) seeking rain and snow in view of the prolonged dry spell affecting the region.

In a post on X, the Mirwaiz expressed deep anguish over the repeated restrictions, stating that it was “deeply saddening” that he could not lead the faithful in collective dua for rain and snow during this unusually dry winter.

He said that despite the curbs, prayers remained the strength of the people and hoped that Allah would accept them.

Meanwhile, Imam-e-Hai of Jamia Masjid, Syed Ahmed Naqshbandi, led the special prayers for rain and snow at the central mosque, with a large number of worshippers participating with heavy hearts.

Addressing the congregation, he urged people to turn to Allah with humility and repentance and intensify their supplications, seeking His mercy and blessings.

He also condemned the continued restrictions on the Mirwaiz, stating that even offering prayers a purely religious act was now being curtailed, which has deeply hurt religious sentiments of the people.

The Mirwaiz also expressed profound sorrow over the demise of the wife of late Mirwaiz Molana Yaseen Hamdani.

He said that he was denied permission to attend the funeral and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to Molana Riyaz Hamdani and the bereaved family, praying for maghfirah of the departed soul and patience and strength for the family in this time of grief. — (KIMS)