Srinagar, Dec 24 : For the 20th consecutive week, Today congregational prayers were allowed by the authorities at the historic Jamia Masjid in the old city, locals and the management body of the mosque said.

There is no word from the government officials over this move.

The locals said the 600-year-old Jamia Masjid continues to remain out of bounds for the worshippers for congregational prayers on Fridays. However, the authorities have been allowing the prayers for the other six days.

Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid Srinagar expressed strong resentment over the decision by authorities to once again disallow Friday prayers for the 20th straight week.
It has vehemently condemned the police action, the statement said.

“The Anjuman and the Muslims of Kashmir are unable to understand that on the one hand, all the places of worship, mosques, shrines, imambargahs and khanqahs in Jammu and Kashmir are open for Friday prayers, but only Jamia Masjid Srinagar continues to be selectively banned and restricted from holding Friday prayers, which is extremely unfortunate and incomprehensible,” the statement said.

“This behaviour of the rulers is tantamount to sheer interference in religion and hurting the religious sentiments and feelings of Muslims, which is unacceptable,” the Anjuman alleged.(UNI)