Closure of Srinagar’s Jama Masjid on Shab-E-Barat Draws Strong Criticism

Jammu: Srinagar’s historic Jama Masjid was once again locked on Tuesday evening, preventing congregational prayers on Shab‑e‑Barat, a night of deep spiritual significance for Muslims. The decision, taken by government authorities, left worshippers dismayed and the mosque’s custodians frustrated, especially as the festival marks the 15th night of Sha’ban in the Islamic lunar calendar and is traditionally observed with night‑long prayers.According to the Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid, officials accompanied by police personnel arrived earlier in the day to convey that congregational Isha prayers and the special night vigil would not be permitted. The managing body was instructed to lock the mosque’s gates immediately. Soon after, armed police contingents were deployed around the Grand Mosque to prevent people from gathering. In a statement, the Auqaf explained that the directive came shortly after Asr (late afternoon) prayers, with police insisting that the mosque remain closed throughout the night despite preparations already underway for the sacred observance. The organisation expressed deep regret that yet another major religious occasion had been disrupted, noting that its head, Mirwaiz Muhammad Umar Farooq, had been placed under house arrest. The statement argued that repeated restrictions since 2019 amount to clear interference in the religious rights of the community. Mirwaiz Umar, Kashmir’s chief Muslim cleric, echoed this sentiment in a post on ‘X’, lamenting that while mosques across Kashmir and beyond were illuminated for Shab‑e‑Barat, the Valley’s largest mosque remained shuttered under surveillance. He described the closure as part of a long pattern of curbs on religious gatherings and questioned the narrative of “normalcy” often promoted by officials. He said, “As mosques across the region light up in devotion on this sacred night, Jama Masjid Srinagar stays shut under watch. Yet another closure, and I remain detained at home.” He added, “Shab-e-Barat joins a long list since 2019 when prayers at the Valley’s largest mosque have been stopped by force. No reason offered, just locked gates and silence. For those who beat the drums of ‘normalcy’ and ‘Naya Kashmir,’ this contrast needs an explanation.” The Anjuman Auqaf strongly condemned the authorities’ approach and urged a reconsideration of policies that prevent peaceful religious assemblies at the historic mosque. Despite repeated appeals, officials offered no specific explanation for the latest closure, describing it only as a “preventive” or “precautionary” measure. A police officer, speaking anonymously, suggested it was intended to avert potential law‑and‑order issues, though he did not clarify how prayers inside the mosque could pose such a risk. Authorities have previously cited the 2017 killing of Deputy Superintendent of Police Muhammad Ayub Pandith outside the mosque on the night of Shab‑e‑Qadr, the night which as per Islamic belief is when the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed to its Prophet Muhammad as justification for heightened restrictions. He was on June 22 that year caught by an unruly mob, stripped and then beaten to death.



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