Srinagar: Two and a half months have passed since the lockdown in Kashmir. The 600-year-old Jama Masjid which is the biggest mosque of the valley wore a deserted look on the 11th consecutive Friday. The Jama Masjid was locked since the scrapping of Article 370 on August 5 to avoid large congregations it is known to draw, especially on Friday.
Thousands of Muslims are being deprived of the congregational prayer and Friday sermon. In fresh restrictions imposed in the Kashmir, authorities have restricted free moving of people towards the historic masjid. Security was further intensified on Friday and a large number of security forces were deployed inside and outside the masjid so that no devotee could enter the masjid for prayer.
Chairman of Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq is in detention since August 5, who used to deliver special sermon before Friday prayer.