Pakistan slams India for prohibiting Shab-e-Qadr, Friday congregations in IIOJK

Pakistan strongly condemned the prohibition of Shab-e-Qadr (night of power) and Jumatul Wida (the last Friday of Ramazan) congregations in Srinagar’s central Jama Masjid in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

The Indian occupation forces have intensified their repression against innocent Kashmiris during the holy month of Ramazan, the Foreign Office said in a statement on Friday.

“Pakistan condemns in the strongest possible terms, these curbs on Kashmiri Muslims to practice their religion and restraining them from congregating on special religious occasions in this holy month of peace and mercy,” it added.

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These curbs are the latest in a series of repressive measures taken by Indian occupation forces in IIOJK that have hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims, from the desecration of the Holy Quran and burning down of mosques and shrines in IIOJK to restrictions on religious congregations and prayers.

Indian forces have also been engaged in unrelenting and wilful attacks, harassment and intrusive surveillance of Muslim worshippers, the FO said.

The conduct of Indian forces defies all norms of decency and human dignity. Imposition of restrictions on religious freedoms through illegal, arbitrary, and unjustified measures is yet another brazen assault by Indian occupation forces on the human rights of the Kashmiri Muslims. It is also a manifestation of their moral bankruptcy as well as the endemic culture of impunity in IIOJK.

“Pakistan strongly condemns these despicable acts and calls on India to let the Kashmiri Muslims hold their religious congregations in peace and without any hindrance to their inalienable rights to freedom of religion and assembly,” read the communiqué.