The caretakers of historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar on Tuesday (February 3, 2026) said the Jammu and Kashmir Police closed the gates of the mosque for special prayers on the occasion of Shab-e-Barat, when Muslims hold nightlong congregational prayers, and placed Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house arrest.
A spokesman of the Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid said it was directed by the police to close the gates of Jama Masjid, Srinagar, as permission to observe Shab-e-Barat had been denied by the authorities at the mosque. “The Mr. Auqaf was asked to ensure that the premises remain closed for the night despite prior preparations for the sacred observance,” the spokesman said.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq claims he is under house arrest, was prevented from offering Friday prayers
The Mr. Auqaf spokesman expressed deep regret that once again congregational prayers on an important religious occasion could not be held at Jama Masjid and that the Mirwaiz had been placed under house arrest.
“This continues a pattern since 2019 where major religious gatherings at the historic mosque are not allowed. This amounts to a blatant interference in the religious rights of the people,” the spokesman said.
