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
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 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.
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.
"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.
"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."
Pakistan welcomes OIC’s principled stance on Kashmir issue
Some 70 faithfuls were led by Mufti Ghulam Rasool in afternoon prayer inside the sprawling mosque, which can accommodate 30,000 faithful.
Before the crackdown, chief cleric and influential Kashmiri leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq delivered sermons and political messages at the mosque every Friday.
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.
People at the mosque said they fear it would not be kept open for Friday prayers.
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.
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 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.
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.
"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.
"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."
Pakistan welcomes OIC’s principled stance on Kashmir issue
Some 70 faithfuls were led by Mufti Ghulam Rasool in afternoon prayer inside the sprawling mosque, which can accommodate 30,000 faithful.
Before the crackdown, chief cleric and influential Kashmiri leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq delivered sermons and political messages at the mosque every Friday.
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.
People at the mosque said they fear it would not be kept open for Friday prayers.
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.