Srinagar: For the second week in a row, authorities in Srinagar have barred Friday prayers at the historic Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in Kashmir, amid fears of protests against the Israeli aggression in Gaza.
The police and paramilitary forces cordoned off the area around the mosque and placed barricades on the roads leading to it. The mosque remained locked and no one was allowed to enter it for prayers.
The decision to barr Friday prayers at Jama Masjid has angered many locals, who see it as an infringement on their religious rights. “This is a clear violation of our fundamental right to worship. We are being denied the opportunity to pray at our grand mosque, which is a symbol of our faith and identity,” said Mohammad Yasin, a resident of Nowhatta, where the mosque is located.
The Jama Masjid, which was built in the 14th century by Sultan Sikandar, can accommodate more than 30,000 worshippers at a time. It is also a hub of political and social activities in the valley. The mosque has witnessed many protests and rallies over the years, especially after the Friday prayers.
The authorities have been imposing restrictions on the movement and assembly of people in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir since August 5, 2019, when the central government revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated it into two union territories. The lockdown was further intensified after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic last year.
The situation in Kashmir has also been affected by the recent escalation of violence between Israel and Palestine in Gaza, which has claimed more than 2000 lives so far. Many Kashmiris have expressed solidarity with the Palestinians and condemned the Israeli attacks on civilians and religious sites. Some groups have also called for protests and boycotts of Israeli products in Kashmir.
The authorities have said that they are taking preventive measures to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incidents in the region. They have also appealed to the people to cooperate with them.
