'Unfortunate And Condemnable': Anjuman Auqaf After Authorities Disallow Eid Prayers At Eidgah Srinagar

Anjuman Auqaf in a statement said that they are now forced to inform the general public about the decision, which is "regrettable."

Anjuman had earlier announced that Eid prayers would be held at Eidgah Srinagar at 9 am on Friday.

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New Delhi: A day ahead of Eid-ul Adha, Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid on Wednesday said that the Srinagar district administration has disallowed the congregation of Eid prayers at the historic Eidgah grounds in Srinagar.

According to the officials of the Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid, Srinagar district authorities conveyed to them the district administration's decision to not allow Eid prayers due to security considerations.

Anjuman Auqaf in a statement said that they are now forced to inform the general public about the decision, which is "regrettable."

"Once again, Eid ul Adha prayers will not be allowed at the historic and central Eidgah Srinagar on Thursday 29th June at 9 am. District administration officials today morning conveyed this decision to Anjuman Auqaf officials," the mosque said in a press release.

In keeping with past traditions, Anjuman had announced that Eid prayers would be held at Eidgah Srinagar at 9 am on Friday.

"Barring prayers at Eid gah which is the central place designated for these special community prayers for centuries, is extremely unfortunate and condemnable, hurting the sentiments of lakhs of Muslims of the valley and outside and a poor reflection on the state of affairs in Jammu and Kashmir," Anjuman Auqaf said while denouncing the continued detention of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Umar Farooq who is under house arrest since August 2019. 

Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir would traditionally deliver the Eid sermon at Eidgah before Eid prayers. 

Despite appeals by various religious, political, social organisations, and civil society regarding the release of its Chairman Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir, Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq, he is being continuously detained, which is extremely sad and disturbing, the Auqaf committee said in the statement.