Jamia Masjid closed on Shab-e-Baraat: CM Omar Abdullah calls it a ‘betrayal of confidence’
On the night of Shab-e-Baraat, the Jammu and Kashmir Police imposed restrictions on congregational prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar. The decision drew widespread criticism from political leaders and religious organizations alike.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the region’s chief cleric, was scheduled to deliver the sermon. However, he was placed under house arrest. Authorities told mosque management that no prayers would take place that night. Worshippers who had gathered at the mosque in Srinagar’s Nowhatta area were asked to leave.
The move stirred controversy. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called the decision “unfortunate” and expressed concerns over the lack of confidence in the region’s law and order. He said the closure of Jamia Masjid, one of the holiest mosques, on such an important religious night showed a lack of faith in the people and the security forces’ ability to manage peace. Abdullah criticized the move in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating that the people of Srinagar deserved better.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police did not issue an official statement, but the Kashmir Zone Police’s official Twitter account wished the people well on the eve of Shab-e-Baraat, without addressing the restrictions.
Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid, the mosque’s management body, expressed its disappointment. In a statement, it confirmed that after Asr prayers, authorities shut the gates and ordered worshippers to leave. The Auqaf was informed that Shab-e-Baraat prayers would not be allowed at the mosque that night. The statement further criticized the repeated closures of the mosque during significant religious occasions, noting the emotional harm this caused to the people. The Auqaf also condemned the house arrest of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, stating it infringed upon his fundamental religious duties.
The mosque’s closure on such a significant night only added to the frustration and anger felt by the local population, who were deprived of an important religious experience. Religious leaders and political figures questioned the justification for such measures, seeing them as an unnecessary escalation in the tense atmosphere of the region. The move raised concerns about the restriction of religious freedom, especially during such a significant night in the Islamic calendar.
