Jamia Masjid Committee, Authorities In Tussle Over Eid Prayer Timings.

After the Jammu Kashmir administration said will not allow Eid prayers to be held at Eidgah ground or at historic Jamia Masjid in the old city after 7.00 am on Eid, there seems to be a stalemate between them and Masjid management committee.

In a statement, issued to Kashmir News Service (KNS), an official said that “there are many reliable inputs of disruption and clashes in Jamia Masjid after namaz, which forced administration to request Jamia authorities for preponing prayers to 7 am.”

The statement reads that “the Civil and Police administration had met with Jamia committee requesting them to reschedule the timing which would have enabled the Law enforcement agencies to take care of safety and security of all people coming for Eid prayers more effectively.”

“The intezamia committee was urged to take a decision at their own level regarding prayer timing. However, it has been learnt through social media and other reliable sources that committee could not draw concordance among its members regarding proposed timing of the Eid prayers,” it said.

It added that further, “the committee also refused to give any assurance or undertaking for peaceful conduct of Eid prayers by having enough volunteers in and around Jamia campus.”

“There is umpteen evidence of episodes in the past erupting into law and order problems by miscreants compelling authorities to act in the interest of public safety and security,” the statement said.

“Taking care of public safety and security is the utmost priority and the lack of cooperation from the management committee of Jamia puts lives of people at risk,” it said.

“Consequently, it will be difficult to have peaceful conduct of Eid prayers at Jamia. As such holding prayers is not possible under present circumstances. General public is requested to leverage the option of offering Eid prayers in local mosques, shrines and designated places with full fervour and enthusiasm,” it added.

Auqaf Response

According to the Anjuman, the authorities have put several conditions on holding prayers at Eidgah or Jamia Masjid and sought a written undertaking from the management in this regard.

The Anjuman on Saturday had announced that Eid prayers will be held at Eidgah grounds at 9.30 am. In case of inclement weather, the prayers were planned at Jamia masjid as per past practice.

The Anjuman expressed surprise that while authorities have no problem with allowing Eid prayers at Hazratbal shrine at 10.30 am, they are putting conditions on holding prayers at Eidgah.

“The Anjuman Auqaf members are dismayed that after disallowing Muslims of the valley to pray at Jamia Masjid on Juma-ul-Vida and Shab-e-Qadr, authorities are now not allowing Muslims to offer Eid prayers in the open at Eidgah, which is in the tradition of the Prophet’s sunnah,” the management said.

It said they had approached the government-run Waqf Board but the body responded by saying that they could not facilitate prayer arrangements unless authorities gave permission for it.