Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Reality is that there is a very limited retreat of the vehicles, with the occupation forces providing cover undeer fire up to Salah al-Din Street
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Claims that the Israeli occupation has withdrawn from areas in the neighborhoods of al-Zaytoun, al-Tuffah, and al-Shujaiya are false
Hamas: The two delegations stressed that any negotiations must lead to the achievement of our people's goals and aspirations, foremost among which is ending the war and the complete withdrawal of enemy forces

Locked Mosque in Kashmir casts bleak shadow over freedom in India

  • By Al Mayadeen net
  • Source: Agencies
  • 16 Dec 2021 16:36
2 Min Read

Jamia Masjid, the grand mosque in Srinagar has been locked for the last two years.

  • x
  • Closed mosque questions freedom in India
    Jamia Masjid in Srinagar India (AP)

With an enormous main entrance and the ability to hold 33,000 worshippers, Srinagar's magnificent mosque, Jamia Masjid, dominates the disputed Kashmir region.

The mosque has been locked for the last two years due to a security crackdown and pandemic. Indian officials regard the mosque as a hotspot for demonstrations and riots that threaten India's regional sovereignty.

For Muslims however, it is a holy spot where they may worship on Fridays and raise their voices for political rights.

The mosque is mostly used for Friday congregational prayers and other special events. However, the mosque is allowed to remain open for only six days a week, Friday not included despite it being the holiest of days for Muslims.

Jamia Masjid was shuttered for 21 years by Sikh overlords in 1819, and it has been subject to intermittent prohibitions and lockdowns for the previous 15 years.

Separatist rallies against Indian control have centered on the mosque in Srinagar's core.

The insurgency has been portrayed by India as Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, which Pakistan denies. The embargo, according to Kashmiri Muslims, is compromising their constitutional right to religious freedom.

A decade ago, popular cries for "Azadi," or freedom, remained embedded in the Kashmiri mentality.
Unarmed uprisings began, with thousands protesting Indian control. 

Bashir Ahmed, a retired government employee who has been praying at the most for over 5 decades, said "There is a constant feeling that something is missing in my life."

Many Kashmiri Muslims have long complained that New Delhi violates their religious freedom under the guise of maintaining law and order.

Altaf Ahmad Bhat, one of the mosque officials said "This is the central mosque where our ancestors, scholars and spiritual masters have prayed and meditated for centuries."

India's constitution guarantees residents' freedom of religion. The state will not "discriminate, favor, or intervene in the practice of any religion," according to the constitution.

Experts claim Modi's rule made life difficult for Muslims before security operations in Kashmir.

The mosque closure reignites fears of suppression for some in Kashmir while some worry that this is only the beginning of their spiritual suffering.

  • indi
  • Religious Freedom

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS