The congregational Friday prayers were not allowed by authorities at the Kashmir’s historic Jamia mosque for the seventh consecutive week fearing pro-Palestine protests.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who addresses the Friday congregation was also put under house arrest.

Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid Srinagar, the managing body of the Jamia masjid condemned the administration's decision to disallow Friday prayers and putting Mirwaiz under house arrest thereby restricting him from carrying out his religious duties.

“It is extremely unfortunate and reprehensible,” a statement said.

Anjuman said, on one hand, the government claims everyday that the situation in Kashmir is normal , but it is a pity that contrary to these claims, even on the seventh Friday, Jamia Masjid was forcibly closed and the top religious leader of Kashmir, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was kept under house detention.

“This way, the centuries-old minbar and mihrab (pulpit) of Jamia Masjid – the great place of worship in Kashmir – were again silent,” the statement said, adding, "such hostile behaviour of the administration towards Jamia Masjid and Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir is incomprehensible.”

“Asking the administration, if Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir has been released from detention, then why is Jamia Masjid being targeted and Mirwaiz Sahib not allowed to perform his religious responsibilities,” the Anjuman asked.

They said such actions hurt the religious sentiments of the people and tantamount to interfering in religious matters.

The Auqaf urged the administration to change its policy towards Jamia Masjid and Mirwaiz and do away with undue restrictions.

Since October 13, the Friday prayers have not been allowed at Jamia mosque as authorities apprehend that there could be protests in support of Palestine.

(With UNI inputs)