Kashmir: Masked youngsters wave ISIS flags at historic Jamia Masjid

SRINAGAR: A group of masked youngster created a ruckus on Friday after they stormed into the historical Jamia Masjid in Srinagar with ISIS flags.

The incident occurred after the congregational Friday prayers when the youngsters entered the mosque and rushed to the pulpit, with one of them standing atop the pulpit with his shoes on and screaming slogans and unfolded the ISIS flag.

In the meantime, his associates videotaped the incident. A video clip showing group of hooligans, whose identity is not known yet as they were in mask put on social media that went viral on Saturday.

The management committee of the the Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid and the separatists strongly condemned the incident of desecration.

“This clearly indicates that the incident was deliberate,” This clearly indicates that the incident was deliberate,” the statement said. “The incident has led to shock, outrage and deep resentment among people and has deeply hurt their sentiments.

“The attempt to desecrate the Jamia mosque by this group of hooligans whose identity is not yet known is strongly condemnable. It shows utter disregard of this group of miscreants for Islamic institutions, values and Islamic teachings. Such elements not only malign the name of Islam but also abuse it,” the statement said.

“The Auqaf has taken strong note of the shameful incident and warns those elements or agencies behind this incident that people and Auqaf will not tolerate or allow anyone to violate the sanctity of the mosque and the pulpit at any cost,” it said.

“Jamia Masjid is the spiritual, religious and political centre of people of Kashmir and our collective cultural heritage. Any attempt to harm it will be firmly dealt with”, the statement said.

With agency inputs