Kashmir’s Mirwaiz Molvi Mohammed Umar Farooq was barred from offering Friday prayers, while two more clerics were placed under house detention.
As per a report by News agency PTI, Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid was also shut down by the authorities amid apprehensions of protests against the Israeli action in Gaza.
Meanwhile, as per press releases prominent Shia clerics Moulana Aga Syed Mohammed Hadi Kashmiri and Moulana Abbas Ansari were placed under house arrest.
“For the 3rd consecutive Friday President Anjuman e Sharie Shiayan Aga Mohammed Hadi Kashmiri has been detained by authorities at his residence & denied to perform his religious duties. This is purely happening to prevent pple for raising their voices agnst Israel’s apartheid in Gaza,” Anjuman e Sharie Shiayan said in a statement.
Itehad ul Muslimeen Jammu Kashmir in a statement said that police personnel in large numbers reached the house of Moulana Masroor Abbas Ansari on Friday morning and placed the cleric under house arrest.
The grand mosque, located in the Nowhatta area of the city, remained locked and security personnel were deployed around it to maintain law and order, PTI reported, quoting unnamed officials.
The prayers have been barred for the last four Fridays now to maintain law and order as there are apprehensions of protests against the Israeli action in Gaza, the officials said.