Thursday 14th May, 2026
Srinagar, Mar 1: (UNI) Friday prayers were not allowed in the historic Jamia Masjid in downtown Srinagar, where curfew-like restrictions have been imposed since this morning as a precautionary measure.
Officials said that restrictions were imposed in down town and Shehar-e-Khas (SeK) Srinagar following tense situation after rumours were spread that Article 35 A and 370 were amended and Jamaat-e-Islamic (JeI) was banned through different ordinances issued by the centre last night.
All gates of historic Jamia Masjid in the down town, stronghold of chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, remained closed for the third successive day on Friday. Mirwaiz, who was scheduled to address Friday congregation this afternoon, has also been put under house arrest since this morning.
The historic mosque was closed on Wednesday and Thursday following a two-day strike called by separatists against raids conducted by National Investigation Agency (NIA) and mass arrests in the valley, besides alleged attempts to tamper with Article 35-A.
A large number of security forces and state police personnel remained deployed outside the Masjid and adjoining areas to stop any movement on the roads. “There was also no ‘Azaan’ (call for prayers) in the historic Masjid today,” local residents said, alleging that nobody was being allowed to enter the area.
However, prayers were offered in the Valley, barring in mosques on main roads in the areas where restrictions were imposed.
Friday prayers were offered at Hazratbal shrine, which houses the holy Relic of Prophet Muhammad, on the bank of Dal Lake though the number of devotees was again very less as compared to even normal days as people could not come from other parts of the valley fearing trouble.
Reports of offering of Friday prayers were also received from other parts of the valley.