Srinagar, Dec 18: Castigating the government for repeatedly sealing off the Jamia Masjid for Friday prayers and “debarring” the chief cleric and Hurriyat (M) chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from participation, Mutahida-Majlis-Ulema Saturday warned of serious consequences if the government continues to pursue its policy.
 The body had last month twice threatened to issue a fatwa against the government.
 “The government has repeatedly intervened in the religious matter of Muslims by locking up Jamia Masjid and other major Masjids for Friday prayers and imposing restrictions on Mirwaiz Umar Farooq  for 14 consecutive Fridays to stop him from rendering his duties as the Mirwaiz of Kashmir. If the government doesn’t stop hurting the religious sentiments  of Kashmiri Muslims, the Mutida-Majlis Amal will be forced to take concrete steps, and the responsibility would solely lie on the government,”  the Ulema said in a statement.
 On November 9, the Ulema representing several Islamic organizations had met at Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s Nageen residence here, and flayed the government for ignoring the resolution passed by the Islamic body on November 3 that had denounced the curbs on Friday prayers.
 “Instead, the government imposed a strict curfew and debarred people again   from offering prayers at Jamia Masjid and other mosques the next Friday. If the government further pursues its anti-Islamic and dictatorial policy, the Ulema will unanimously issue a Fatwa and ask people to peacefully revolt against this brazen interference in their religious affairs,” the Ulema had said.

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