Eid Prayers at Srinagar’s Jama Masjid Denied for 8th Year in a Row

Authorities on Wednesday once again denied permission for Eid prayers at the historic Srinagar’s Jama Masjid and Eidgah , marking the eighth consecutive year of such restrictions, according to officials and multiple reports.

The decision prevented congregational Eid prayers at two of the most significant religious sites in the old city, where large gatherings have traditionally taken place for centuries. Security arrangements and restrictions were imposed in and around sensitive areas of downtown Srinagar.

Alongside the restrictions, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq , the chief cleric of Kashmir and chairman of the Hurriyat Conference (Mirwaiz faction), was placed under house arrest , preventing him from leading or participating in Eid prayers. The Mirwaiz is traditionally associated with delivering sermons at Jama Masjid, one of the oldest and most prominent mosques in the region.

In a post on X, Mirwaiz said Muslims in Kashmir were again denied access to Eid congregational prayers at Eidgah and Jama Masjid , alleging that worshippers were met with barricades, locked gates, and restrictions . He described the situation as deeply painful on a major religious occasion and said such actions reflect a continuing pattern of curbs on religious gatherings.

He further argued that repeated restrictions have impacted the community’s religious freedoms , particularly the ability to observe major Islamic festivals in traditional congregational settings. He also highlighted concerns that younger generations are being deprived of witnessing large Eid gatherings, which have historically been part of Kashmir’s cultural and spiritual life.

Mirwaiz asserted that despite repeated restrictions, the spiritual bond with Jama Masjid and Eidgah remains unbroken , adding that faith and religious identity cannot be suppressed through administrative measures.

Reports also indicate that similar restrictions on Eid and other major religious occasions, including Friday prayers and Shab-e-Barat gatherings, have been imposed in recent years, with Mirwaiz frequently placed under preventive detention or house arrest during sensitive periods. The restrictions continue a pattern reported since 2019, with no official indication of policy change regarding Eid congregational prayers at these key religious sites.