ISLAMABAD: Pakistan condemned the closure of the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar on the last Friday of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, calling it a violation of religious freedom in Indian-administered Kashmir.
The Jamia Masjid, located in Srinagar’s old city, has frequently faced restrictions on large congregational prayers since August 2019, when India revoked the semi-autonomous status of the Muslim-majority region and imposed sweeping security measures.
Authorities in the past have cited law-and-order concerns since large gatherings at the mosque have sometimes been followed by protests in the surrounding areas.
“Preventing worshippers from offering congregational prayers at one of the most revered mosques in the Valley constitutes a serious violation of religious freedom and fundamental human rights in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.
“For the seventh consecutive year since India’s illegal actions of 5 August 2019, the occupation authorities have sealed the mosque and barred Kashmiri Muslims from gathering for prayers on this spiritually significant day,” it added.
