3rd consecutive Friday : Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir barred from leading special prayers for rain & snow at Jama Masjid Srinagar

Srinagar, January 09, : Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir, Dr. Molvi Muhammad Umar Farooq, had announced special prayers at Jama Masjid, Srinagar, to seek rain and snowfall in view of the continuing unusually dry winter in the Valley. However, for the third consecutive Juma, the authorities denied him permission to proceed to Jama Masjid, thereby preventing him from leading the faithful in these important collective supplications.In a post on X, the Mirwaiz said, “Another Friday, and once again authorities denied me permission to go to Jama Masjid. Such repeated restrictions are deeply distressing. It is extremely saddening that I could not lead the faithful in collective duʿā for rain and snow during this unusually dry winter. Our prayers remain our strength may Allah accept them.”

Despite these restrictions, Imam-e-Hai of Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Naqshbandi, led the special duā for rain and snow, with a large congregation of worshippers participating with heavy hearts as the prolonged dry spell continues to cause concern across the Valley. He urged the people to turn to Allah with humility and repentance, and to intensify their supplications, seeking His mercy and blessings. Imam Syed Ahmed Naqshbandi expressed anguish that even offering dua , a purely religious and humanitarian act, now warrants house arrest, and said that such repeated curbs on the Mirwaiz have deeply hurt the religious sentiments and conscience of the people.

Meanwhile, the Mirwaiz also expressed deep sorrow over the demise of the pious wife of the late Mirwaiz Molana Yaseen Hamdani. He had sought permission to attend her funeral but was denied permission by the authorities. The Mirwaiz conveyed his heartfelt condolences to Molana Riyaz Hamdani and the bereaved family, and prayed for the departed soul’s maghfirah and for patience and strength for the family in this time of grief.