The congregational Friday prayers were not allowed at the historic Jama Masjid in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar. According to the sources, the permission was denied due to concerns about potential protests against Israel's actions in Gaza following the prayer. Officials said the mosque complex located in Nowhatta area of the city was locked and Friday prayers were not allowed. He said that a large number of security forces have been deployed around the mosque to maintain law and order.
‘Police closed the doors of the mosque’
Despite the absence of congregational prayers on Friday, no official statement has been released regarding the reason for the mosque's closure. Sources suggest that the decision was made due to concerns about potential protests in response to Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip. Israel initiated its actions in response to a series of attacks by Hamas, escalating tensions in the region.
Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid, the mosque's management body, said in a statement that police officials have closed the doors of the mosque and informed that Friday prayers will not be allowed.
Mirwaiz Farooq put under house arrest
The Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid also claimed that the Chairman of the Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, has been "once again put under house arrest on Friday morning." It's worth noting that Mirwaiz, a separatist leader, was recently released after a 4-year house arrest following the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019. After attacks on Israeli citizens by Hamas and their ruthless killings, major world powers have supported Israel's right to take action against terrorism.
Israel-Hamas war
The week-old war has already claimed over 2,800 lives on both sides and sent tensions soaring across the region. The death toll from Israeli strikes on Gaza rose to 1,537, with 6,612 people wounded, the Gaza-based Health Ministry said Thursday. Of those killed, 500 were under the age of 18, the ministry said. On the other hand, over 1,300 people have died in Israel from the Hamas attack since Saturday morning.
