Mirwaiz Raises Concern Over Restrictions on Eid Prayers, Questions Silence Over Religious Rights
Srinagar, May 29 (PTK): Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Muhammad Umar Farooq on Friday expressed concern over the continued restrictions on Eid prayers at Eidgah and Jamia Masjid Srinagar, warning against what he termed the growing normalisation of abnormal circumstances affecting religious rights and institutions.
Addressing the Friday congregation at Jamia Masjid Srinagar, the Mirwaiz said that, like previous years, Eid prayers were not allowed at Eidgah and Jamia Masjid this year as well.
“The greatest danger to any society is when abnormal things begin to appear normal,” he said, adding that repeated denial of opportunities to gather peacefully for prayers could lead future generations to believe that such restrictions are normal.
He said there is nothing normal about a historic Eidgah remaining silent on Eid morning or a Jamia Masjid being closed to worshippers on one of the most sacred occasions in the Islamic calendar.
The Mirwaiz said his concern extended beyond the restrictions themselves to what he described as the growing silence surrounding them. While acknowledging that avenues of expression are constrained by restrictions, bans, threats and arrests, he maintained that silence cannot be an option.
Referring to elected representatives, he said those chosen by the people cannot remain silent spectators when religious institutions and rights are affected. He asserted that it is their responsibility to raise their voice on issues concerning the people they represent.
He further remarked that institutions are judged by how they respond when fundamental freedoms and deeply held public sentiments are impacted. According to him, silence weakens institutions, disempowers people and deepens feelings of loss.
The Mirwaiz said the repeated restrictions raise larger questions regarding the preservation of a people’s religious, cultural and historical identity. He said the issue concerns whether such identity is respected and accommodated or expected to gradually adjust to restrictions over time.
Calling it a matter linked to the collective existence of the people, he urged serious reflection on the way forward and asked what course should be adopted when faith, traditions and institutions are perceived to be under challenge.
At the same time, he urged people not to allow disappointment to turn into despair, saying that Islam teaches hope, patience and resilience even in difficult circumstances.
He said the history of Kashmir demonstrates that institutions have survived repeated challenges because people continued to preserve and cherish them in their hearts and memories.
“As long as that faith remains alive within, no restriction can erase it,” he said.
Concluding his address, the Mirwaiz prayed for guidance, strength and wisdom for the people in preserving their faith, values and institutions.(PTK)
