IIOJK Authorities Impose House Detention on Mirwaiz Umar Farooq During Ramadan

As the holy month of Ramadan unfolds, authorities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) have once again placed religious leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house arrest, preventing him from fulfilling his spiritual duties.

In a troubling development for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), senior All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has been placed under house detention once again. This latest restriction, imposed by local authorities in Srinagar, is designed to prevent the Mirwaiz from delivering the Friday sermon and offering congregational prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid in the city.

The Anjuman Auqaf of Jamia Masjid, Srinagar, which oversees the mosque, has expressed deep disappointment over this unjustified move. In a statement, the organization condemned the house arrest, noting that it came at a particularly sensitive time during the holy month of Ramadan. For Muslims around the world, Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection and connection with the Almighty, making the act of preventing the Mirwaiz from performing his duties even more egregious.

Jamia Masjid holds immense religious significance, serving as a central hub for thousands of worshippers who gather each Friday to pray, seek guidance, and listen to the Mirwaiz’s sermons. The Anjuman emphasized that barring the religious leader from fulfilling his role deeply hurts the religious sentiments of the people, particularly during a month that is sacred to Muslims.

The statement also highlighted the distress felt by the people, many of whom travel from distant areas to hear the Mirwaiz’s guidance. The disruption of this spiritual practice not only harms the religious community but also goes against the principles of religious freedom and basic human rights, the Anjuman said.

The house detention of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq during Ramadan is viewed as an arbitrary and oppressive move by the authorities, which aims to stifle religious expression and silence a prominent voice for the people of Kashmir. The Anjuman Auqaf has called for the immediate release of the Mirwaiz, urging that he be allowed to resume his duties and continue guiding the faithful, as has been the tradition for generations of Mirwaizeen in IIOJK.

The continued house arrest of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq is part of a larger pattern of restrictions and suppression of religious freedom in the region, particularly targeting prominent leaders and figures who challenge the status quo. The Mirwaiz’s spiritual and political influence has made him a central figure in Kashmir, and his detention further exacerbates the already tense and volatile situation in the region.

The detention of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq not only violates his rights but also harms the religious and cultural fabric of IIOJK. The call for his immediate release is growing louder, as people seek justice and the freedom to practice their religion without fear of repression.