Srinagar: In occupied Kashmir, the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has said that the forcible closure of Srinagar Jamia Masjid by the Indian forces deprives thousands of Muslims from attending Friday prayers which is a grave violation of the fundamental right of the people to practice and propagate their religion.
The JI spokesman, Advocate Zahid Ali in a statement issued in Srinagar said that the central Masjid was now closed for five consecutive Fridays which reminded the dark period of Dogra imperialistic rule during which this central place of worship was forcibly locked for a long period.
The JI spokesman said that the Chairman of Hurriyat Forum, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who delivers the Friday sermon at the Jamia Masjid, has also been detained at his residence thereby depriving him of propagating the Islamic teachings to the people which is interference in the religious affairs of Muslims.
Likewise, he said, the APHC Chairman, Syed Ali Gilani, has been under continuous house arrest for years together in a blatant violation of all the human rights and democratic norms. He said India claims to be the largest democracy of the world but has crossed all records of human rights violations and has unleashed a reign of terror in the Kashmir Valley committing all types of atrocities upon the innocent people.
The spokesman strongly denounced the attitude of the Indian authorities towards the Kashmiris and demanded unlocking of the central mosque and release of all political leaders including Syed Ali Gilani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Dr Muhammad Qasim Fakhtoo, Masarrat Aalam Butt, Aasiya Andrabi and Fahmeeda Sofi.
He also demanded that a free and fair atmosphere should be created for peaceful political activities in the territory so that the masses are able to express their aspirations without any fear.
The spokesman also appealed to the world community to take notice of the Indian state terrorism in the occupied territory.