On Wednesday, the authorities refused to allow Eid prayers to be performed in the historic Jami Mosque in the Old City for the eighth year in a row, in addition to placing Mirwaiz Omar Farooq under house arrest.
“For the eighth year in a row, Kashmiri Muslims are denied the right to perform Eid prayers in the historic Jama Masjid, and I have been placed under house arrest,” Mirwaiz told X.
He said that Kashmiri Muslims are received with barriers and restrictions on Eid.
“On the august and festive occasion of Eid, Kashmiri Muslims are received with barriers, restrictions, closed gates and intimidation,” he added.
He added: “This is not a judgment. It is a systematic assault on our religious identity, our dignity and our basic rights, which hurts us deeply.”
Mirwaiz said that it is very unfortunate that children in Kashmir grow up without witnessing the morale-boosting Eid prayers on Eidgah.
“An entire generation is deprived of knowing its traditions and making memories that have shaped our collective life for centuries,” he said.
He added that “faith cannot be imprisoned or suppressed by force.”
“But let those in power know that there is no force on earth that can erase the deep spiritual bond that the people of Kashmir share with Idgah, the Jama Masjid and their religious institutions,” he stressed.
