Friday prayers allowed in Jamia Masjid after 4 weeks

Srinagar, Nov 3: Friday congregational prayers were allowed at the historic Jamia Masjid after four weeks as there was no restriction in Shehar-e-Khas today.

   Meanwhile, the prayers at the historic mosque were led by moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, who was released on Sunday after remaining under house arrest since September 28 this year.

   Police said there was no curfew or restrictions in any part of Srinagar though security forces remained deployed at some places to maintain law and order.

   Friday prayers were offered at Hazratbal shrine, which houses the holy relic of Prophet Muhammad, on the bank of Dal Lake.

   Reports of Friday prayers being offered normally were also received from other parts of the Valley.
   Friday prayers were not offered for four weeks in Jamia Masjid since October 6 after authorities imposed curfew-like restrictions in SeK and downtown Srinagar for security reasons.

   But, there was no relief for hardline Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who remained under house arrest since June 2016 after he returned from New Delhi.UNI