Srinagar, Aug 21 (KNO): Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq on Friday said restrictions and attempts to silence the pulpit of the historic Jama Masjid Srinagar seemed to be part of the state policy, while stressing that the pulpit has always stood for people’s rights, duties, peaceful coexistence and dialogue.
In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said that while speaking at the Friday congregation at the historic Jama Masjid Srinagar, Mirwaiz said that after nearly two weeks of restrictions, during which he was prevented from delivering the Friday sermon at Jama Masjid and denied the opportunity to address the gathering of Khwaja Digar at Naqshband Sahib, he was once again among the people.
He said that every opportunity to be there was counted as a blessing from Allah, as restrictions and attempts to silence the pulpit, unfortunately, seemed to be part of the state policy at present. He said it was a time to bear with patience and continue the good work, however possible.
The spokesperson said that addressing those who impose these restrictions and may not know its history, Mirwaiz said the pulpit has for generations played an important role in educating individuals and shaping society along religious and moral lines. It has helped create awareness among people not only regarding their rights but also their duties.
He said that whenever the need arose, it became their forceful voice, articulated their concerns and advocated their aspirations. It has promoted peaceful coexistence among communities and strongly voiced minority rights.
Mirwaiz said that the approach has always been in accordance with Islamic teachings—peaceful, principled and dignified; dialogue over confrontation and issue-based rather than personal.
“Inshallah, it will continue to do so whenever given the chance. It is the legacy of my forefathers and the shared inheritance of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Mirwaiz said.—(KNO)