The Crossbill News Desk
Hurriyat Conference chairman and chief cleric of Srinagar’s historic Jamia Masjid, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, has alleged that he is being placed under house arrest every Friday to prevent him from addressing worshippers during congregational prayers.
On April 18, the senior separatist leader said the repeated restrictions are part of a broader attempt to silence dissenting voices and undermine key Muslim institutions in the Kashmir Valley.
In a post on X, Mirwaiz wrote, “Every Friday I am put under arbitrary house arrest! Putting pressure on me not to speak up, the ban also aims to weaken the centrality of Muslim institutions of the valley-the Jama Masjid, office of the Mirwaiz, and cause collective grief to Muslims and all those who oppose this authoritarian and sectarian outlook.”
“My house detention case is still pending in court, where I am seeking relief from the Hon’ble High Court, but in such times patience remains our only strength,” added Mirwaiz.
The Anjuman Auqaf, which manages the affairs of the Jama Masjid, voiced “deep anguish and strong condemnation” over the continued house detention of Mirwaiz, now entering its fourth consecutive Friday, The Tribune reported.
In a strongly worded statement, the committee said, “The repeated restrictions imposed on Mirwaiz are unjust and appear to be aimed not only at silencing his voice on vital issues of Muslims but also at weakening the central religious institutions of the Valley—most notably the Jama Masjid.”
“These actions cause immense hurt and distress to the Muslim community of Jammu & Kashmir and to all those who value justice, religious freedom and democratic principles,” the Auqaf added.
On April 18, the senior separatist leader said the repeated restrictions are part of a broader attempt to silence dissenting voices and undermine key Muslim institutions in the Kashmir Valley.
In a post on X, Mirwaiz wrote, “Every Friday I am put under arbitrary house arrest! Putting pressure on me not to speak up, the ban also aims to weaken the centrality of Muslim institutions of the valley-the Jama Masjid, office of the Mirwaiz, and cause collective grief to Muslims and all those who oppose this authoritarian and sectarian outlook.”
Every Friday I am put under arbitrary house arrest ! Putting pressure on me not to speak up, the ban also aims to weaken the centrality of Muslim institutions of the valley-the Jama Masjid, office of the Mirwaiz , and cause collective grief to Muslims and all those who oppose… pic.twitter.com/WR7w4OC3VU
— Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) April 18, 2025
“My house detention case is still pending in court, where I am seeking relief from the Hon’ble High Court, but in such times patience remains our only strength,” added Mirwaiz.
The Anjuman Auqaf, which manages the affairs of the Jama Masjid, voiced “deep anguish and strong condemnation” over the continued house detention of Mirwaiz, now entering its fourth consecutive Friday, The Tribune reported.
In a strongly worded statement, the committee said, “The repeated restrictions imposed on Mirwaiz are unjust and appear to be aimed not only at silencing his voice on vital issues of Muslims but also at weakening the central religious institutions of the Valley—most notably the Jama Masjid.”
“These actions cause immense hurt and distress to the Muslim community of Jammu & Kashmir and to all those who value justice, religious freedom and democratic principles,” the Auqaf added.
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