Police Appeal for Cooperation as Eid Congregations Held Across Region, Mirwaiz Claims House Arrest

Srinagar, May 27, KNT: Eid-ul-Adha was observed across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Wednesday with thousands of worshippers gathering at mosques, shrines and Eidgahs for special congregational prayers, even as prayers were not held at Srinagar’s historic Jamia Masjid and Eidgah, drawing criticism from chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

Large congregations marked the festival at Hazratbal shrine and numerous mosques and shrines across the Valley, Jammu region and Ladakh, while security arrangements remained in place to ensure peaceful observance.

The absence of Eid prayers at Jamia Masjid and Eidgah Srinagar again emerged as the principal point of political and religious debate.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, in a statement posted on X and shared publicly on Wednesday, alleged that Muslims in Kashmir had been denied the right to offer Eid prayers at the historic Eidgah and Jamia Masjid for the eighth consecutive year and claimed he had been placed under house arrest.

“For the 8th consecutive year, Muslims of Kashmiris have been denied the right to offer Eid prayers at the historic Eidgah/Jama Masjid, and I have been placed under house arrest,” Mirwaiz wrote.

He further alleged that Eid celebrations in Kashmir were being met with “barricades, restrictions, locked gates and intimidation” and described the situation as an assault on religious identity and dignity.

Mirwaiz also expressed concern that younger generations were growing up without experiencing Eid congregations at the historic venues, saying the spiritual and social traditions associated with Eidgah and Jamia Masjid formed part of Kashmir’s collective heritage.

Despite the controversy surrounding the two Srinagar sites, Eid congregations proceeded at numerous other locations.

The main Eid congregation in Srinagar was held at the revered Hazratbal shrine, where thousands of devotees gathered early in the morning amid prayers, greetings and festive scenes. Authorities and the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board had earlier announced arrangements for major congregations at Hazratbal and other shrines across the Valley. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and National Conference president Dr Frooq Abdullah offered prayers there.

Congregational prayers were also offered at several prominent shrines and mosques including Khanqah-e-Moula, Makhdoom Sahib, Asar-e-Shareef Soura, Naqshband Sahib and locality mosques in Srinagar city and adjoining areas.

Districts across Kashmir witnessed Eid gatherings with worshippers assembling at local Eidgahs and mosques in Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Budgam, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Baramulla and Bandipora.

Festive scenes were reported from towns and villages where families exchanged greetings following prayers and traditional sacrificial rituals associated with Eid-ul-Adha began later in the day.

Authorities had announced elaborate arrangements for Eid observance, including traffic regulation, security deployment and coordination at major prayer venues. Waqf authorities had said preparations had been completed to facilitate worshippers at shrines and Eidgahs.

Police and civil administration personnel remained deployed at major congregation points.

Senior police officials extended Eid greetings and appealed to people to cooperate with security arrangements to ensure peaceful celebrations.

Reports and social media videos circulating during the day showed police outreach and public interaction at several locations in Srinagar, including around major shrines and congregation sites, where officers greeted worshippers and reviewed arrangements.

The festival was also observed across the Jammu region.

Eid congregations were held at Eidgahs and mosques in Jammu city and other districts, including Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban and Reasi, where worshippers assembled for morning prayers and exchanged greetings.

The Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board had issued prayer schedules for Eidgahs and mosques in Jammu city ahead of the festival, with prayers held between early morning and forenoon hours at designated venues.

In Ladakh, Eid-ul-Adha was observed peacefully in Muslim-majority areas including Kargil, where congregational prayers were held amid religious gatherings and traditional observances.

Leh and adjoining areas also witnessed Eid prayers at mosques and local congregation sites attended by residents and community members.

The broader atmosphere across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh remained largely peaceful and festive.

Markets and bazaars had witnessed brisk activity in the days preceding Eid as people shopped for sacrificial animals, garments and essentials, while families prepared for the annual festival associated with sacrifice, charity and remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim’s devotion.

Yet alongside the celebratory mood, the continuing dispute surrounding prayers at Jamia Masjid and Eidgah again underscored the unresolved tensions between religious tradition, security considerations and political sensitivities in Kashmir.

For many worshippers, Eid remained a day of prayer and togetherness.

SSP Srinagar Dr GV Sundeep visited the Dastgeer Sahab shrine to assess the situation. While talking to reporters, he appealed people to cooperate with security forces and extended Eid greeting to rank and file. [KNT]

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