Authorities ban Eid prayers at Jama Masjid; Mirwaiz alleges house arrest

Authorities did not permit Eid celebrations at Jama Masjid and Eidgah in Srinagar, a decision that drew criticism from several political leaders, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

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Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid, which manages the mosque, said in a statement that it “deeply regrets to inform that the authorities have once again disallowed Eid-ul-Adha prayers at Eidgah Srinagar, as well as at the historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar, by closing the gates of the mosque and deploying police personnel outside.”

“Even the Fajr prayers this morning were not permitted at Jama Masjid as the gates remained locked.”

After offering prayers, Chief Minister Omar told the media it was unfortunate that, once again, permission to offer prayers had not been granted at Jama Masjid. “I do not know the reason behind this decision but there is a need to trust our own people. These are the same people who came out to protest against the Pahalgam terror attack. The government should allow Namaz at the Jama Masjid.”

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti, in a statement on social media, said, “Deplorable and utterly callous to detain Mirwaiz Sahab on the auspicious occasion of Eid Al Adha. The gates of Jama Masjid too have been locked up. As usual, radio silence from the NC government. In India’s only Muslim majority state, Muslims are being denied and deprived of their right to worship. We demand answers.”

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also condemned the move in a post on social media platform X.

He stated, “Eid Mubarak! Yet again, Kashmir wakes up to the sad reality: no Eid prayers at Eidgah, and Jama Masjid locked down — for the seventh straight year. I too have been detained at my home. In a Muslim-majority region, Muslims are deprived of their fundamental right to pray — even on their most important religious occasion celebrated across the world! What a shame on those who rule over us and on those elected by the people who choose to remain silent as our rights are trampled over, again and again.”