Srinagar: The Central Jamia Masjid Srinagar was today thrown open for prayers after 150 days of lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic. The devotees offered Zuhr (afternoon) prayers in the Masjid for the first time after religious places were thrown open by the administration.
The decision by Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid was taken while upholding the views of Shariah experts and following the guidelines issued by the medical bodies regarding the outbreak.
For the convenience of those coming for prayers, the Auqaf Jamia Masjid, as per a statement issued to Kashmir News Observer, had put in place all the SOPs and other preventive measures including providing free masks and keeping hand sanitisers inside the grand masjid and putting up posters of guidelines to be followed.
As soon as the call for prayers (Azaan) was given, people started rushing towards the Jama Masjid and, with extreme devotion and humbleness, began kissing its doors and wooden columns. It was a scene filled with emotions and rejuvenated the faith of visitors.
Hundreds of men and women offered the congregational Zuhr prayers while maintaining social distance. Special prayers were offered for refuge to the people of Kashmir, Muslim Ummah and entire humanity from the deadly COVID-19 and all other sufferings and hardships.
The management of the Jama Masjid and the people interacted with several media persons present on the occasion and demanded immediate release of the Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid Chairman, Mirwaiz Muhammad Umar Farooq, who continues to be under arbitrary house arrest for more than a year now.
On the occasion, the people also expressed strong anger and resentment over the blasphemous remarks against Prophet Muhammad ﷺ made by some miscreants and communal zealots in Jammu region and demanded stringent punishment to the culprits.
Meanwhile, according to the Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid, along with the daily prayers, the congregational Friday prayers will also resume at Jamia Masjid with all SOPs and other preventive measures in place. KNO
Locals allege harassment as surveillance, frisking intensify ahead of Indian R-Day in Kashmir
Srinagar: A multi-layer security arrangement including a ground and aerial survey has been put in...
