Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid reopens after 5 months

13 DEATHS, 434 NEW CASES IN UT

SRINAGAR : Kashmir’s grand mosque, Jamia Masjid, opened on Tuesday, five months after all congregational prayers were suspended at the mosque in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Scores of people offered the afternoon prayers in congregation at the mosque wearing face masks and while maintaining social distancing. A day before, the mosque was sanitised and the floor furnishing was removed prompting people to bring their own prayer mats.

“I am so happy. I will be offering prayers here for the first time in the past one year after the abrogation of Article 370,” said a local Abid Ahmad. “Although people were excited but at the same time they took all precautions. The Imam Sahib prayed to God to rid us of this pandemic,” he added.

“It is like Eid for me. May God bless those who helped open the mosque. People, from whatever religion, should pray because the

Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday recorded 13 deaths and 434 fresh Covid-19 infections taking the total number of positive cases in the Union territory to 29,326. The recovery rate in the UT crossed 74.6 %, the highest so far, after 590 more people were cured and discharged from various hospitals, taking overall recoveries to 21,886. Active cases in the UT stand at 6,879.

Almighty is angry with us all owing to our deeds,” said another man who had come for the prayers.

Jamia Masjid or grand mosque is one of the biggest mosques in Kashmir and has been central to many important developments throughout the history of the Valley. Hurriyat leader and chief priest of the mosque, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, used to deliver the weekly sermons but he has been under house arrest since August 5 last year.

Before closing in March this year when Covid-19 cases surged in the Valley, the mosque had remained closed for few months last year as well when restrictions were imposed following the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5.

Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid (AAJ), the managing body of the mosque, said health regulations and Sops should be strictly followed by those visiting the mosques. “For the convenience of those coming for prayers, the Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid had put in place all the SOPS and other preventive measures including providing free masks and keeping sanitisers inside the masjid,” it said.