Srinagar, Mar 15 : Kashmir’s Chief Cleric and Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday appealed to authorities to unconditionally release Kashmiri political prisoners, now in jails, as a gesture of goodwill in the holy month of Ramzan .

He said this while delivering Friday sermon at the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar.

It was for the first time since August 2019- when J&K special status was abrogated- that Mirwaiz was allowed to deliver a sermon at the Jamia in the holy month of Ramazan.

Addressing the faithful, Mirwaiz appealed to all sects and organisations -religious , social or political to rise above personal and sectarian interests and ensure unity and brotherhood among the people of Jammu and Kashmir to preserve and protect its collective identity .

Mirwaiz said that the best way to ensure collectivism is by following basic human, moral and religious principles and values.

“Otherwise in fighting and one- upmanship will make us perish,” he said.

Addressing the youth, Mirwaiz said that they are the future of this place and through pursuance of education and awareness that will bring out their inner capabilities and consciousness they can help shape a just and prosperous community.

Mirwaiz appealed to the authorities that they should listen to the voice of peoples collective conscience and unconditionally release thousands of Kashmiri political prisoners who are in jails in Jammu and Kashmir and all over India, as a gesture of good will in the holy month of Ramzan .

The Chief Cleric said the condition of many prisoners who are in jails for years is very bad causing great distress to people.

Mirwaiz said that it is incumbent upon authorities to address the issues of people, including electricity problems.

Meanwhile, on the first Friday of Ramazan, all the mosques and shrines across Kashmir witnessed heavy rush of Muslims, who assembled to offer congregational prayers. The biggest gathering was witnessed at Jamia and Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar.

UNI