Pro-Palestine Demonstrations in Kashmir Despite Mosque Lockdown
Shia-Dominated Districts Witness Protest Despite Security Measures
Major demonstrations against Israeli activities in Gaza broke out in the Shia-dominated districts of Kargil and Budgam on Friday, despite the Jammu and Kashmir administration locking down the largest mosque in the region, Jamia Masjid, in Srinagar, to stop pro-Palestine demonstrations.
In anticipation of the demonstrations, security guards were stationed outside the Jamia Masjid.
Chief priest Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who also happens to be the chairman of the moderate Hurriyat, was placed under house arrest, according to the mosque administration, in order to keep him from giving his Friday speech.
Although there have been significant pro-Palestine demonstrations in Kashmir in the past, after the special status was removed in 2019, all forms of agitation have been outlawed in the region.
The mosque's managing body, Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid Srinagar, announced in a statement that Friday prayers would not be permitted and that all of the central mosque's doors had been closed since the morning.
On social media, the management posted images and videos of the locked masjid along with an expression of "regrets and surprise over the administration's action."
In the past four years, Friday prayers at the mosque—once a prominent separatist venue—have been repeatedly banned.
Mirwaiz "has yet again been put under house arrest early morning today," according to the Auqaf. After serving four years in house arrest following the August 5, 2019, dilution of Article 370, he was recently released.
On Wednesday, Mirwaiz called for an end to the current war and showed support for the Palestinian people.
The mosque's closure was not officially announced.
Hamas, a violent Palestinian organization, had called for demonstrations on Friday in favor of the Palestinian people.
Hundreds of protesters demonstrated against Israel's bombing of Gaza on Friday in the Kargil district of Ladakh and the Budgam district in the Valley, even though the situation in the former Jammu and Kashmir remained mainly calm.
In Kargil, demonstrators held anti-US and anti-Israel banners while waving Palestinian flags. The demonstration marched through the town of Kargil, but it ended amicably.
Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.
