Srinagar, Aug 21: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq on Friday said that restrictions on his religious activities and attempts to prevent him from addressing congregations at historic religious sites appeared to be part of the state policy.
Addressing the Friday congregation at the historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar, Mirwaiz said he had returned to the mosque after nearly two weeks during which he was prevented from delivering the Friday sermon there and was also denied an opportunity to address the gathering of Khwaja Digar at Naqshband Sahib.
He said being able to address the people was a blessing and called for patience in the face of restrictions.
“Every opportunity to be there I counted as a blessing from Allah, as restrictions and attempts to silence the pulpit, unfortunately, seemed to be part of the state policy right now,” he said.
“It was a time to bear with patience and continue the good work, however possible,” he added.
Mirwaiz also spoke about the historical role of the Jama Masjid pulpit, saying it had traditionally been used for religious and moral education and for raising awareness among people about their rights as well as duties.
Addressing those imposing restrictions, he said they may not be aware of the history and significance of the pulpit.
He said the pulpit had, whenever required, served as a voice for the concerns and aspirations of the people while also promoting peaceful coexistence and advocating minority rights.
According to Mirwaiz, the approach adopted from the pulpit had always been guided by Islamic teachings and focused on peaceful and principled engagement.
“The manner has always been in accordance with Islamic teachings — peaceful, principled and dignified; dialogue over confrontation and issue-based over personal,” he said.
Mirwaiz said the tradition would continue whenever he was given an opportunity to address the people.
“Inshallah, it will continue to do so whenever given the chance. It is the legacy of my forefathers and the shared inheritance of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he concluded.
