Srinagar, 04-March; The historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar’s downtown area reopened on Friday for Zuhr prayers for the first time after almost seven months of long closure due to Covid-19 pandemic.The 600-year-old mosque, one of the major places of worship in Kashmir, remained closed for Friday congregational prayers for 30 weeks.As soon as the Azaan was sounded, hundreds of devotees thronged the Masjid with extreme devotion and happiness. It was a scene filled with emotions and rejuvenated the faith of the believer.Meanwhile, emotional scenes were witnessed at the Masjid as a large number of men, women and children were seen kissing the pillars of the masjid.”This is the place where our prayers get heard,” an elderly woman said amid tears.Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid, which manages the affairs of the Masjid had time and again expressed strong resentment over the closure of the Masjid for quite some time. They have demanded its re-opening.We are unable to understand that on the one hand, all the places of worship, mosques, shrines, imambargahs and khanqahs in Kashmir are open for Friday prayers, but only Jamia Masjid Srinagar continues to be restricted from holding Friday prayers,” the Anjuman had stated in statements issued from time to time.On Monday the IGP and Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Pandurang Kondbarao Pole visited Jamia Masjid in volatile Nowhatta area to review its reopening. “They visited the Masjid to review measures for its re-opening for congregational Friday prayers,” a senior official said and added that the officers held interaction with the secretary of Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid.(CNS)
