Mirwaiz ‘barred’ from Friday prayers at Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid

Authorities did not allow Kashmir chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to pray at the historic Jamia Masjid on Friday, March 20, 2026, following rising tensions due to the Iran-US war. Meanwhile, some regional leaders of political parties also attended congregation meetings in Srinagar.

In a post on social media platforms, the Mirwaiz said that he was not allowed to go to the Jamia Masjid where he delivers his weekly sermons and leads prayers.

Also Read | Mirwaiz, who was banned from entering Jama Masjid, calls for ‘dialogue on Kashmir’ in his online sermon

“For the third consecutive Friday in Ramzan, I was placed under arbitrary house arrest; it was never notified in writing. Instead, police vehicles and large troops were stationed in front of my door and the entire area, gutters and lanes were blocked with concertina wires, traffic was not allowed, all to prevent me from delivering the Friday sermon,” Mirwaiz said.

He said such measures reflected “managers’ panic.” “The Jamia Masjid’s centrality for Muslims in the region has unfortunately always been a nuisance, just like the Muslim institutions and identities they seek to undermine,” Mirwaiz said. he said.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people performed congregational prayers at Jamia Masjid and Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar. National Conference president Farooq Abdullah also attended a meeting in Srinagar to pray.

Speaking after the prayer, Mr. Abdullah said, “The current war (in the Middle East) will have severe consequences not only for the Indian economy but also for the world economy. I prayed to God Almighty for the problems faced by the Muslim community to end as soon as possible.”

Mehbooba Mufti, president of the People’s Democratic Party, who also prayed in Srinagar, drew attention to the issue of Muslims in New Delhi in her post on the X channel.

“Right-wing fanatics and lumpen elements in Uttam Nagar, New Delhi are openly howling for the blood of Muslims and the shedding of rivers of blood on Eid tomorrow. Understandably, this has caused significant panic and anxiety among many Muslim families who have fled to escape the impending violence,” Ms Mufti said.

He called on the Prime Minister and the Minister of Internal Affairs to “intervene before the situation worsens and causes innocent casualties.”