Friday congregational prayers were not allowed for the fifth consecutive week at Srinagar’s historic Jamia Masjid amid fears of protests over the civilian deaths in Palestine.
A statement by the Anjuman-e-Auqaf, the managing body of the Jamia Masjid, said authorities directed it early in the morning to close down all the doors of mosque as Friday prayers will not be allowed to take place .
It added that detention of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who is the mosque’s chief cleric, also continued for the fifth consecutive Friday.
“Repeatedly disallowing Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid and detaining the Mirwaiz is a highly regrettable and authoritative decision which causes great anguish and disappointment among the Muslims of the state and offends their religious sentiments,” the statement added.
