Srinagar: After a gap of almost 136 days, the minarets of historic Jamia Masjid in Old City Srinagar Wednesday reverberated with prayer call for the afternoon prayers (Zuhr and Asr) as Anuman-e-Auqaf Jamia Masjid started cleaning drive.
The Masjid has been locked since August 5 when Centre announced to rollback Article 370, stripping of the Jammu and Kashmir from its special status. “I was surprised to hear Azaan (prayer call) for Zuhr prayers from Jamia Masjid minarets. I was so delighted and right away rushed towards the Masjid,” said Aijaz Ahmed, a resident of Nowhatta.
Before that volunteers of Anjuman-e-Auqaf were seen cleaning the Masjid with many clearing the dust from the prayer mats. The Masjid has been witnessing pro-freedom protests and clashes after every Friday prayers.
A senior Auqaf member told KNO that since weather was good and there was no security presence around the grand Masjid, it was decided to clean the Masjid from the dust and to offer Zuhr prayers first. “Asr prayers were also offered at the Masjid. We are hopeful that Friday congregational prayers will also be offered at the Masjid,” he said.
Emotional scenes were also witnessed at the Masjid with elderly men and women kissing the pillars and walls of the Masjid, stating that “this masjid is a spiritual centre for people across Kashmir.”
A volunteer while cleaning the main pulpit, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq should be released from the house detention so that prayers would be held on Fridays too.
There has been a tussle going on between the Auqaf and the security forces over holding prayers at the Jamia Masjid from the 15th week post August 5. Security officials had been maintaining that there were no restrictions on holding Friday congregational prayers. But Jamia managing body has been sticking to their version that until forces are removed from the masjid, prayers can’t be organized at the Masjid. (KNO)
