SRINAGAR, Indian administered Kashmir — While thousands of Muslims across Jammu and Kashmir marked Eid-ul-Adha with religious fervour and traditional devotion, the spiritual heart of Srinagar — the historic Jamia Masjid — remained shuttered for the seventh consecutive year, highlighting ongoing tensions in the region despite official claims of normalcy.
From the early hours of Sunday morning, worshippers gathered in large numbers at mosques, shrines, and open grounds (Eidgahs) throughout the Kashmir Valley and Jammu region to offer the special congregational Eid prayers. The largest gathering took place at the revered Hazratbal shrine, nestled on the banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar, where thousands of worshippers, including prominent religious and political leaders, participated in the early morning prayers.
However, the absence of Eid prayers at Jamia Masjid Srinagar cast a shadow over the day’s festivities. Security forces sealed off the area surrounding the 14th-century mosque in Nowhatta, and authorities placed Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the region’s chief cleric and Mirwaiz of Kashmir, under house detention, barring him from delivering his traditional Eid sermon.
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A Tradition Interrupted
“Eid Mubarak! Yet again, Kashmir wakes up to the sad reality: no Eid prayers at Eidgah, and Jamia Masjid locked down — for the 7th straight year. I too have been detained at my home,” Mirwaiz said in a message posted on X (formerly Twitter). He lamented the continued denial of the fundamental right to pray at one of Kashmir’s most iconic mosques, calling it “a shame on those who rule over us and those elected who remain silent.”
The Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Union Territory’s Home Department did not issue any official statement regarding the restrictions at Jamia Masjid Srinagar or the Mirwaiz’s house arrest.
Political Fallout and Silence
The move sparked sharp criticism from political quarters. People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti condemned the continued closure of the mosque, stating, “J&K is the only Muslim-majority region in India, and yet it is here that a major mosque is shut down on Eid. If the government claims everything is normal in J&K, why is the Mirwaiz not allowed to offer prayers?”
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The Omar Abdullah-led government also faced criticism for what many view as passive complicity in the matter. “They are mere spectators,” Mufti added, pointing to the broader erosion of civil liberties in the region.
Celebrations Elsewhere Amid Tight Security
Despite the clampdown at Jamia Masjid Srinagar, Eid prayers were conducted without incident at other major religious venues across the region. Tight security arrangements were visible throughout Srinagar and other urban centers.
Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha, in his Eid message, urged for communal harmony and compassion: “Eid Mubarak! Let’s reiterate our resolve to strengthen the foundations of unity, harmony, and brotherhood.”
Following morning prayers, families across the Valley and Jammu began the traditional Qurbani (sacrifice) rituals, commemorating Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to divine command. Goats, sheep, and even camels were sacrificed in accordance with Islamic tradition. These rituals are expected to continue over the next two days.
A Divided Eid: Faith Versus Force
While Eid in Kashmir was celebrated with deep devotion in most parts, the continued closure of the Jamia Masjid has become a symbol of the enduring political conflict and restrictions on religious freedom in the region. The mosque, often a site of both spiritual guidance and political discourse, remains under the shadow of state control.
For many in Kashmir, Eid-ul-Adha was not only a moment of spiritual reflection but also a stark reminder of the unresolved political and human rights issues that continue to plague the region.
Global Human Rights Concerns
The denial of congregational prayers at the Jamia Masjid Srinagar—despite assurances of normalcy—has raised fresh concerns among human rights observers and international advocacy groups monitoring civil liberties in Kashmir. The mosque’s continued lockdown, especially on significant religious occasions, is increasingly viewed as an infringement on basic religious freedoms guaranteed under international law.
As Kashmir’s largest and most historic mosque remains locked, the faithful continue to ask: when will spiritual freedom and political dignity return to the Valley?
