Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the chief cleric of Kashmir, expressed disappointment as authorities confined him at home, preventing him from leading prayers for rain and snow in Jammu and Kashmir. The region is facing an unusual dry spell, with no snowfall in the plains yet, causing concerns about water scarcity in the upcoming months.
The Kashmir Valley witnessed congregational prayers across various locations on Friday, seeking divine intervention for abundant snowfall during the remaining days of the ongoing ‘Chillai Kalan.’ Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who usually leads prayers at Jamia Masjid, was unable to attend due to his house arrest, a tradition he has followed since 1990.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq assumed the role of chief cleric after his father’s assassination in 1990 and also led the Awami Action Committee. Recently, he removed his title as chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference from his profile. The Ministry of Home Affairs has labeled both the Awami Action Committee and the Hurriyat Conference as unlawful organizations.
