SRINAGAR: Representatives of Anjuman-e-Auqaf Jamia Masjid, Srinagar Friday staged a protest outside grand mosque to press for the release of Chief Cleric, Mirwiaz Umer Farooq, terming his house ‘detention’ as ‘illegal’ and ‘interference’ in religious affairs.
Shouting slogans “release Mirwiaz, stop interference in religious affairs’ dozens of the representatives of Anjum-e-Auqaf Jamia Masjid joined by worshippers after Friday prayers assembled outside the mosque and staged peaceful protest to seek release of Mirwaiz Umer Farooq.
Prior to protest, Imam-e-Hai, Syed Ahmad Naqshbandi while delivering Friday sermon urged the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha to release Mirwiaz saying continuous detention of valley’s Chief cleric has deeply hurt thousands of his followers in Kashmir.
Terming continuous house detention of Mirwiaz ‘illegal’, he said confining a religious leader within four walls of his house amounts to direct interference in religious affairs.
The grand Imam of Jamia Masjid also said barring Mirwaiz from addressing people on auspicious occasions like Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) demonstrates stubborn approach of the administration and urged LG to ensure his release at earliest so that he could perform his religious duties.
