Mirwaiz was released after over four years on September 22, 2023. However, fearing pro-Palestinian protests after the Friday prayers in October, he was locked up again and Friday prayers were disallowed at Jama Masjid in Srinagar.
For the third consecutive Friday, prayers at Kashmir s grand mosque were not allowed and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was placed under house arrest due to concerns of protests over the Gaza bombings. The situation in Jammu and Kashmir is described as a fragile normalcy.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was supposed to deliver sermon in connection with the Urs of Hazrat Peeran-e-Peer Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani and pay homage to the saint and scholar of Islam
Authorities in Srinagar have once again disallowed Friday prayers at the Jama Masjid due to fears of pro-Palestinian protests. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who usually addresses the congregation, has also been placed under house arrest. The Anjuman-i-Auqaf, which manages the mosque, stated that the police closed the gates and prevented prayers from taking place. Mirwaiz expressed disappointment at the repeated closure, stating that it contradicted the administration s claims of normalcy. People in the valley expressed solidarity with Palestinians during the prayers and condemned Israel s attacks.