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
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem: The movement remains committed to implementing the ceasefire agreement through the handover of another Israeli captive’s body earlier this evening
Al-Arida to Al Mayadeen: We were deprived of all means of communication, and we were isolated from the other detainees so as not to receive any piece of information
Freed prisoner and leader of Operation Freedom Tunnel, Mahmoud al-Arida, to Al Mayadeen: Were it not for the pro-Resistance media, the situation of the isolated detainees would have been catastrophic
Iranian Foreign Ministry: The sanctions reinstated by the E3 are non-binding, and we deem them illegal
Iranian Foreign Ministry: Iran, Russia, and China will send a letter to the United Nations and the Security Council tomorrow confirming the expiration of Resolution 2231 and the end of sanctions
Local Afghan sources: Pakistani airstrikes hit the Arghun district of Paktika province, southeastern Afghanistan, after the ceasefire expired
Hamad to Al Mayadeen: We will return the bodies and abide by the agreement we approved, but what is happening now is an attempt by "Israel" to exert more pressure
Hamad to Al Mayadeen: The issue of the [Israeli] bodies is complex and requires time, especially since the occupation changed the features of Gaza, which we explained to the mediators
Hamad to Al Mayadeen: The occupation has been unable to achieve its objectives in the Gaza Strip, so we are not surprised that it is employing the barbaric way
Hamas Political Bureau member Ghazi Hamad to Al Mayadeen: "Israel" threatens with force, which is not a strange thing for it. For our part, we are committed to the agreement that "Israel" violates daily

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

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
drop site

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025
Illustration of fists breaking shackles, representing the liberation of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. (Illustrated by: AL Mayadeen English/Batoul Chamas)

4 prominent Palestinian detainees to be freed: Who are they?

  • Palestine
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
The bodies of deceased Palestinians, held by Israel during the war, lie in plastic bags on the floor of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza, following their release, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'Israel' returns 30 Palestinian bodies; some bear marks of torture

Gaza buried under 70 million tons of war debris as crisis deepens
Politics

Gaza buried under 70 million tons of debris, 20,000 lingering UXOs

Ex-White House adviser Ashley Tellis charged over secret files
Politics

Ex-White House advisor accused of amassing troves of top secret files

An Israeli soldier rests by a mobile artillery unit at a gathering point on the border with the Gaza Strip, in southern “Israel”, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Global arms bans isolate 'Israel', yet its war machine keeps running

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