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The caretakers of historical Jama Masjid successful Srinagar connected Tuesday (February 3, 2026) said the Jammu and Kashmir Police closed the gates of the mosque for peculiar prayers connected the juncture of Shab-e-Barat, when Muslims clasp nightlong congregational prayers, and placed Kashmir’s main cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq nether location arrest.
A spokesperson of the Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid said it was directed by the constabulary to adjacent the gates of Jama Masjid, Srinagar, arsenic support to observe Shab-e-Barat had been denied by the authorities astatine the mosque. “The Mr. Auqaf was asked to guarantee that the premises stay closed for the nighttime contempt anterior preparations for the ineffable observance,” the spokesperson said.
The Mr. Auqaf spokesperson expressed heavy regret that erstwhile again congregational prayers connected an important spiritual juncture could not beryllium held astatine Jama Masjid and that the Mirwaiz had been placed nether location arrest.
“This continues a signifier since 2019 wherever large spiritual gatherings astatine the historical mosque are not allowed. This amounts to a blatant interference successful the spiritual rights of the people,” the spokesperson said.
‘Needs explanation’
Meanwhile, the Mirwaiz, successful a station connected X, said, “As mosques crossed the portion airy up successful devotion connected this ineffable night, Jama Masjid Srinagar stays unopen nether watch. Yet different closure, and I stay detained astatine home. Shab-e-Barat joins a agelong database since 2019 erstwhile prayers astatine the Valley’s largest mosque person been stopped by force. No crushed offered, conscionable locked gates and silence. For those who bushed the drums of ‘normalcy’ and ‘Naya Kashmir,’ this opposition needs an explanation.”
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah greeted radical connected the occasion. “I widen my heartfelt greetings to the radical connected the auspicious juncture of Shab-e-Barat. This ineffable nighttime is simply a clip for prayer, repentance, and reflection. I commune for peace, harmony, and prosperity successful Jammu and Kashmir, and for the well-being of all,” Mr. Abdullah said.
