Srinagar: Leaders of all hues including former chief ministers of erstwhile J&K state on Friday welcomed the administration’s move to allow Jamia Masjid’s head cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to deliver Friday sermons after the gap of four years.
National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah hoped that the administration would allow Mirwaiz to move freely, interact with people and resume his social and religious responsibilities.
“I welcome the step taken by the administration in J&K to release Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from house arrest. I hope that they allow him to move freely, interact with people & resume his social/religious responsibilities. Today eyes in Kashmir will be on Mirwaiz as he delivers his first Friday sermon in Jamia Masjid after 2019,” Omar wrote on X.
Former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President, Mehbooba Mufti said “Finally Mirwaiz Umer Farooq will walk free. As a religious head he is held in high regard by muslims across J&K” Mehbooba Mufti wrote on X.
Peoples Conference (PC) Chairman and former minister, Sajad Gani Lone welcomed Mirwaiz’s release and stated that he symbolises a tradition, which is primarily religious in nature but also has strong societal connotations.
“Welcome the release of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq sahib. It is a joyous day for all of us to hopefully see him leading the prayers. He symbolises a tradition which is primarily religious in nature but also strong societal connotations. This tradition has been routinely interrupted in the last three decades, by all governments. Hope this tradition proposers uninterrupted,” Sajad Lone wrote on X.
Former minister and Apni Party President, Syed Altaf Bukhari thanked Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for Mirwaiz’s release. “Deeply gratified & delighted by the long-awaited release of Mirwaiz Sahib. This momentous event has indeed ushered in a collective sigh of relief among the masses, particularly his devoted followers. Thanks to @AmitShah @manojsinha_” Altaf Bukhari wrote on X.
CPI (M) and former legislator, Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami said releasing Mirwaiz from illegal confinement is a welcome move, saying that difference of opinion is an important ingredient of democracy, but it should not be used as an excuse to curtail the fundamental rights of people.
“Releasing Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from illegal confinement is a welcome step. Mirwaiz is a well-respected & influential religious leader. Difference of opinion is an important ingredient of democracy. It should not be used as an excuse to curtail the fundamental rights of people. Hope the government respects different shades of opinions, including the media,” Tarigami wrote on X.
Waqf Board Chairperson and BJP leader, Dr Darakshan Andrabi termed the release of Mirwaiz as an appreciable decision by the administration. Religious scholars belong to all and no group or political party has a copyright for any religious personality, she said. “Congratulations to respected Brother #MirwaizUmarFarooq Sahib. It is soothing to see you after a highly appreciable decision by the Administration. Religious scholars belong to all & no group or political party has a copyright for any religious personality. I hope, this time politico-theatrical statements will not shadow the happiness of the release of Mirwaiz. Wishing him great for future,” Dr Darakshan Andrabi wrote on X.
Chairman Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Front (JKPDF) and former Minister Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen while welcoming government decision to allow Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to lead Friday congregational prayers at Jamia masjid Srinagar , termed the decision a right Confidence Building Measure ( CBM) which would pave a way for building a congenial socio -political atmosphere in the strife torn Kashmir . He also called for releasing all other political activists and detenues who were not involved in heinous charges . “People of Jammu and Kashmir are yearning for restoration of their democratic and constitutional rights , PDF Chairman maintained while urging the government to hold Assembly elections as early as possible .
