Srinagar: Congregational prayers were held at the Jama Masjid in Srinagar’s old city area on Friday for the first time in 31 weeks.
Hundreds assembled at the mosque at noon for the weekly Friday prayers after over seven months.
Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, P K Pole and Inspector General of Police, Kashmir zone, Vijay Kumar had visited the 14th century mosque in the Nowhatta area on Monday to take stock of arrangements being made to ensure COVID-19-appropriate behaviour is followed in case congregational prayers are allowed to resume.
The historic mosque has remained mostly closed for congregational Friday prayers since August 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic also forced its closure for a long time.
The AnjumanAuqaf Jama Masjid said that today Friday prayers were held at the Jama Masjid after a gap of 30 weeks and all arrangements were made in advance.
“People in large numbers came to the Masjid and there was a huge gathering today in view of Friday following Meraj,” a member of AjumaneAuqaf said.
The Friday sermon was given by Imam Hai Syed Ahmed Naqshbandi as Mirwaiz Umar Farooq continued to remain under house detention, Anjuman-e-Auqaf Jama Masjid said.
Mirwaiz has been under house detention since August 05, 2019, when Centre abrogated the Article 370.
Emotional scenes were witnessed at the Masjid as a large number of devotees were seen kissing the pillars of the grand mosque.
