Authorities on Thursday sealed Srinagar’s historic Jamia Masjid, barring funeral prayers for Ghulam Sibtain Masoodi, father-in-law of Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and brother of National Conference leader Hasnain Masoodi.
Sibtain Masoodi, 80, a well-respected medical professional, who spent 28 years of his life in the United States, passed away in the late hours of the night on Wednesday after a prolonged illness. His funeral prayer was scheduled to be held at the historic Jamia Masjid.
“It is to inform that once again the authorities have sealed the gates of Jama Masjid Srinagar and cordoned its surroundings and informed that the namaz e Jinazah of Dr. Ghulam Sibtain Masoodi, father-in-law of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir, Molvi Mohammad Umar Farooq, who passed away yesterday night, and was to take place after zuhr prayers today , will not be allowed at Jama Masjid,” a statement by the Mirwaiz’s office said.
“Mirwaiz Manzil strongly condemns the authorities for use and display of force and power even in moments of grief and religious rituals,” the statement added.
The funeral prayer was later held at Bagat Barzulla and led by Mirwaiz. A large number of people including NC President Farooq Abdullah participated in the funeral.
There was no official word from the LG administration, which is responsible for law and order, on the reasons behind barring the funeral prayers at Jamia.
The NC and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) condemned the government for disallowing the funeral prayers at Jamia.
“The decision to disallow the Namaz-e-Janazah at Jama Masjid, Srinagar is deeply regrettable and wrong. Such actions are not only regressive but also demonstrate the hollowness of claims of normalcy in the region. It is precisely these kinds of steps that reveal the lack of trust the authorities have in their own assertions of peace and stability.
The police in their short-sighted approach, fail to realize that restricting such basic rights only further erodes the trust and goodwill of the people,” NC said in a statement.
PDP leader Iltija Mufti hit out at the ruling NC government for staying silent on such issues.
“Unfathomable & cruel that authorities have barred the Namaz-e-Janazah of Mirwaiz sahab’s father in law Dr Ghulam Sibtain Masoodi Sahab at Jama Masjid today. One assumed that after an elected government there’d be some relief but instead they are complicit by their silence which has emboldened GOIs (Government of Indias) iron fisted policy of repression,” Iltija said on X.
Meanwhile, J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah and several other leaders condoled the demise of Masoodi.
“..Sorry to hear about the demise of Dr Sibtain Masoodi Sb, father-in-law of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. May Allah grant highest place in Jannat to Dr Masoodi. My condolences to the Mirwaiz & his loved ones,” Abdullah posted on X”Dr Sibtain Masoodi Sb was also the brother of my senior colleague @masoodi_hasnain. I send my heart felt condolences to Justice (retd.) Masoodi Sb & his family.”
