After pro-azadi slogan episode, Friday prayers disallowed at Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid
India Today
The Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to disallow the last congregational Friday prayers of Ramadan at Srinagar's historic Jamia Masjid. Police said that the decision was taken as it would be difficult for them to manage such a huge congregation.
Days after Jammu and Kashmir police arrested thirteen people for shouting pro-azadi slogans during Friday prayers at Srinagar's Jamia Masjid mosque, the J&K government has decided not to allow the last congregational Friday prayers of Ramadan at the mosque.
The mosque was closed following the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status under article 370 on August 5, 2019. It was briefly opened but was closed again due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Police said the decision to disallow the prayers was taken as they did not want to take any chances and it would be an uphill task for them to manage such a huge crowd. The final call was conveyed by a team of officials spearheaded by the tehsildar and police officials on Wednesday evening, reported the Indian Express.
A senior police official told the Indian Express, "Traditionally, it is a huge congregation and it can easily spiral into an Azadi protest.It would be difficult for us to manage such a huge congregation.”
"It has been conveyed that the Jumat-ul-Vida (the last Friday prayers of Ramadan) and Shab-e-Qadr (night prayers on the 27th night of Ramadan) would not be allowed at the grand mosque," secretary of Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid, Altaf Ahmad Bhat, said.
The Jumat-ul-Vida prayers are traditionally the largest congregation of the year at the grand mosque and over 1 lakh worshippers attend.
The decision of police to bar the Friday prayers has been criticised by the Jamia Masjid management.