Trade bodies protest against barring of Friday prayers in Jamia Masjid

FARZANA SYED. Dated: 8/4/2017 9:22:59 AM

SRINAGAR, Aug 3: Several trade bodies in Srinagar staged protest demonstration on Thursday against the continued barring of congregational Friday prayers in Jamia Masjid for the past six weeks. Scores of traders took out a protest demonstration in Nowhatta locality of old Srinagar on Thursday decrying the lockdown of Jamia Masjid.
The protesting traders condemned the continued house detention o of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. A sit-in protest was also organised by the protesting traders demanding an end to Jamia Masjid lockdown by the state authorities. They said the strict restrictions and curbs put into place by the authorities and not allowing the congregational Friday prayers was a gross violation of basic human rights and religious freedom as well.
Several trade bodies from old Srinagar localities joined the protest. The protest was also joined by Kashmir Traders Federation.
"We have organised this protest against the continued barring of Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid. This is our religious right and no one has right to snatch our religious freedom. For past six Fridays, the authorities have disallowed the congregational Friday prayers in Jamia Masjid which is just not acceptable. Not only this, come Friday and this entire area is turned into garrison. The locals are pushed to immense trouble and inconvenience," the members of traders federations revealed.
"The Government should lift this siege and allow Friday prayers in Jamia Masjid. If they do not, the protests shall escalate. No one has the right to intervene in our religious matters and curb religious freedom. There should be no curbs and restrictions in the area and people should be allowed to move freely," the protesters said.
The protesting traders marched across the markets along the Nowhatta area. They were also demanding release of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from continued house detention.
Pertinently, the government authorities have barred Friday congregational prayers in Jamia Masjid for past six Fridays evoking widespread anguish and condemnation from different religious and social circles.

 

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