Jammu and Kashmir fights COVID-19: Shrines, mosques closed since Mar, Friday prayers remain suspended

However, violating lockdown order, some people offered Friday congregational prayers in small and interior mosques in the valley though the number this time was less as compared to previous few Fridays due to fresh restrictions.

Meanwhile, administration, doctors and experts have reiterated the need to strictly follow guidelines, including wearing masks, maintaining social distancing and avoiding social and religious gathering to curtail the spread of COVID-19 cases in the valley. Of the total 289 deaths since March this year, 254 people have lost their lives due to COVID-19 in 50 days, and 274 people in 64 days in J&K, where the total the number of infected persons have surpassed 16,000-mark.

Majority of the people in the valley, adhering to the guidelines, offered mid-day (instead of Friday) prayers in their homes.

All gates to historic Jamia masjid, stronghold of Hurriyat Conference (HC) chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, remained closed for devotees since March this year, when government ordered closure of all religious places in view of COVID-19 pandemic. The Jamia market also remained closed following 5-day lockdown order issued by the government till July 27 to curtail the spread of the virus. Security forces and police have also closed roads leading to grand mosque for any traffic movement.

The shrine of Sufi saint Hazrat Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA) in Khanyar, Srinagar also remained closed for devotees since March this year. But a group of four to five devotees were seen seeking blessing from outside the shrine.

Gates of other major mosques and shrines, including Asaar-e-Sharief Hazratbal, which houses the Holy Relic of Prophet Muhammad, also remained closed. Prayers in major mosques and shrines remained suspended for the 19th consecutive week on Friday due to lockdown to prevent spread of COVID-19 in the valley.

However, People offered Friday prayers in small and interior mosques in the valley though authorities are yet to lift ban on congregational prayers.

Authorities and religious organizations announced closure all mosques and shrines in J&K in view of the outbreak of COVID-19 in March this year. The Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMEU), an organization of different religious bodies, headed by incarcerated Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, had appealed to people not to hold any congregational prayers in the wake of pandemic.

No congregational Shab-e-Qadar prayers were offered in any mosque in the valley. No prayers were offered on Jamat-ul-Vida, the last Friday of the holy fasting month Ramzan, in the valley, where Eid-ul-Fitr prayers were offered by people in their own houses.