Restrictions at Srinagar’s Grand Mosque on Shab-E-Qadr

Srinagar: Authorities once again closed all entrances to Srinagar’s historic Grand Mosque on Monday evening and informed the administration that the annual Night of Power or Night of Power congregation will not be allowed. The decision prevented thousands of worshipers from gathering at the Valley’s central place of worship on one of the holiest nights of the Islamic calendar, a night believed to carry the spiritual weight of a thousand months of worship.

Kashmir’s chief Muslim cleric, Mirwaiz Muhammad Umar Farooq, who was scheduled to preach, said on the ‘X’ program that he was placed under house arrest and the mosque was locked on a night when “prayers and supplications seeking God’s mercy and forgiveness echoed in the mosques”. He described the closure as a sign of “insecurity” and a shrinking space for religious practice, adding that the Qur’an warns against preventing the remembrance of Allah in His houses of worship. He expressed hope that oppression and injustice would not continue.

The worship of Kadir, celebrated in the last ten nights of Ramadan, is of great importance for Muslims. The Quran was first sent down from the sky and its first verses were written by Hz. It is believed to be the night it was revealed to Muhammad. Worshipers traditionally spend the night praying, reflecting, and seeking divine mercy.

On March 13, authorities ordered the doors of the Jama Masjid to be closed, preventing worshipers from gathering for special Friday prayers. Mirwaiz Umar, who was scheduled to deliver the sermon and traditional post-sermon speech on issues concerning the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the larger Muslim community, was simultaneously placed under house arrest.

Government officials did not give any specific reason for re-closing the historic mosque, describing the move only as a “preventive measure.” Similar actions in the past have also been justified as “precautionary” steps aimed at preventing potential breakdowns of law and order; authorities often referred to what they called “bitter past experiences.” One such incident that has been frequently mentioned is the murder of Deputy Commissioner of Police Muhammad Ayub Pandith, who was captured by a mob, robbed and beaten to death near the mosque on the night of June 22, 2017 – on the eve of Shab-e-Qadr.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha greeted the people on the eve of Laylat al-Qadr and said that it is a night full of compassion, selfless service and divine grace. He prayed that God Almighty accepts the prayers of the believers and guides the society towards unity, love and social harmony.

In his message, he said, “I offer my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to everyone on the occasion of the Holy Night of Power. This holy night represents the virtues of selfless service, compassion and divine grace. May Almighty Allah accept our prayers on this holy night and continue to guide us on the path of love, unity and social harmony.”