Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday expressed hope that authorities will not impose restrictions during significant religious occasions in the holy month of Ramazan beginning next week.
Addressing the Friday congregation, the Mirwaiz said the historic Jamia Masjid Srinagar and the holy month of Ramazan share a deep spiritual and historical bond.
“For centuries, the mosque has remained the central place of collective worship, reflection, repentance and supplication during this sacred month,” he said.
The chief cleric, who is also chairman of the Hurriyat Conference, expressed hope that authorities will not impose restrictions — as witnessed in previous years — on significant occasions such as Shab-e-Qadr, Jumat-ul-Vida and Eid-ul-Fitr.
“Ramzan is not only about individual devotion but also about collective ibadah (worship), when thousands gather in unity for prayers and spiritual renewal. It deeply hurts the sentiments of people when, without reason, the largest mosque of the Valley is forcibly closed on such sacred occasions,” he said.
He emphasized that closure of a central place of worship during the most sacred days of the Islamic calendar causes anguish among the faithful and undermines the spirit of the holy month.
Appealing to the people — young and old, men and women — the Mirwaiz urged them to gather at the Jamia Masjid in large numbers during Ramazan, as they have always done, and make the most of the blessed month, which embodies mercy, forgiveness, self-purification, unity and drawing closer to the Almighty.
Meanwhile, Mirwaiz welcomed that after free and fair elections, a new government is coming to office in Bangladesh. He congratulated the winning BNP and the people of Bangladesh.
He said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir pray for peace, stability, and prosperity for the people of Bangladesh .
He expressed hope that cordial relations among neighbouring countries would help usher in peace, progress and lasting stability across the region.
