ISLAMABAD: Kashmiri leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has condemned the Indian authorities’ denial of Eid prayers at Eidgah and Jamia Masjid for the eighth consecutive year in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
The Kashmiri leader, in a post on X on Wednesday, stated: “For the 8th consecutive year, Muslims of Kashmiris have been denied the right to offer Eid prayers at the historic Eidgah/Jama Masjid, and I have been placed under house arrest.”
‘Assault on religious identity’
He said, “On the revered and celebratory occasion of Eid, Muslims of Kashmir are greeted with barricades, restrictions, locked gates and intimidation.”
Farooq further said, “This is not governance; it is a systematic assault on our religious identity, dignity and fundamental rights which deeply hurts us.”
A generation deprived
The Kashmiri leader lamented, “It is very unfortunate that children in Kashmir are growing up without witnessing the spiritually uplifting Eid prayers at Eidgah and the festivities thereof.”
“An entire generation is being deprived of knowing their traditions and making memories that have shaped our collective life for centuries.”
Farooq said, “But let those in power know that no power on earth can erase the deep spiritual bond people of Kashmir share with Eidgah, Jama Masjid and their religious institutions.”
“Faith cannot be imprisoned or suppressed through force,” he said in his social media post.
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