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In pictures: Grand mosque re-opened months after Kashmir autonomy stripped

New Delhi imposed curfew and communication lockdown in the Himalayan territory on August 5

Afp December 18, 2019

A man prays in the main mosque in Srinagar on December 18 for the first time in nearly 5 months after occupied Kashmir was stripped of its special status and split into two federal territories. PHOTO: AFP

SRINAGAR: Indian Occupied Kashmir's (IOK) main mosque re-opened for prayers on Wednesday for the first time since the restive valley's semi-autonomous status was axed by New Delhi in August and a curfew imposed.

The main mosque is pictured in Srinagar on December 18, 2019, as prayers were offered there for the first time in nearly 5 months after Jammu and Kashmir was stripped of its special status and split into two federal terriorities. PHOTO: AFP

The main mosque is pictured in Srinagar on December 18 as prayers were offered there for the first time in nearly 5 months. PHOTO: AFP

The area where the Jamia Masjid in occupied Kashmir's main city of Srinagar is located is a hotbed of anti-Indian sentiment, with Friday prayer that attract thousands of Muslims — often followed by street protests.

PHOTO: AFP

Locals believe the recent closure was the longest the 13th-century mosque had endured since Kashmir was split between India and Pakistan in 1947 after independence from Britain.

PHOTO: AFP

"I was sitting at home when I heard the azan (call for prayer) coming from the Jamia Masjid. I couldn't believe my ears and came running to offer prayers here for the first time in four-and-a-half months," Mohamad Iqbal, 55, said.

PHOTO: AFP

"It feels like I'm breathing again. No doubt my happiness knows no bounds today, but the saddest thing is that the Kashmir dispute is yet to be resolved."

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Some 70 faithfuls were led by Mufti Ghulam Rasool in afternoon prayer inside the sprawling mosque, which can accommodate 30,000 faithful.

PHOTO: AFP

Before the crackdown, chief cleric and influential Kashmiri leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq delivered sermons and political messages at the mosque every Friday.

PHOTO: AFP

He is among thousands of people, including other local leaders opposed to Indian rule, taken into custody by authorities after New Delhi's autonomy move.

PHOTO: AFP

People at the mosque said they fear it would not be kept open for Friday prayers.

PHOTO: AFP

Other mosques and shrines in the India's only Muslim-majority state have faced similar restrictions at different times on large gatherings during the lockdown.