Fresh protests erupted in Shia-dominated areas of central Kashmir, particularly Budgam district, on Friday against US-Israel military strikes on Iran and the killing of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, officials said.
Authorities imposed restrictions this morning in Srinagar and several other parts of the Valley, especially in Shia-majority localities, as a precautionary measure to prevent any untoward incident and maintain public order.
The protesters — a mix of women, men and teenagers — raised anti-US and anti-Israel slogans while expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people. Despite their numbers, the demonstrations remained peaceful, and the situation is being closely monitored, officials added. Friday coincides with Juma-tul-Vida (the last Friday of Ramzan), also observed as Youm-ul-Quds to show support for Palestine.
There are apprehensions of larger anti-Israel protests following congregational prayers. Authorities also shut the historic Jamia Masjid in the heart of Srinagar.
Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq posted on X, “On the last Friday of holy Ramzan, when tens of thousands gather from towns and villages for prayers and supplication at the historic Jama Masjid Srinagar, its gates have once again been locked from all sides.”
In a strongly worded message, Mirwaiz added, "This is the seventh straight year when the rulers have denied permission to Muslims to pray here.
As Israel has forcibly shut the gates of Masjid al-Aqsa during Ramzan, a similar painful reality is witnessed here. Our hearts bleed. Shame on those who lock the houses of Allah against the faithful.”
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