Mirwaiz Umar Farooq is house arrest since 4 August 2019. He tried today to delivering Friday sermon at Jama Masjid but stopped by police. #Mirwaiz #kashmir #JamiaMasjid #Srinagar #JammuKashmir #TheHindu

"Kashmir’s chief cleric and Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was disallowed on Friday to leave his residence in Srinagar to attend congregational prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid, a week after J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha suggested “he was a free man”. 

“I started for the Jamia Masjid around 12:40 p.m. All I intended to do was offer my namaz. However, policemen outside stopped me from leaving my residence. I told them that a statement on my release was made by a responsible person who heads J&K,” the Mirwaiz told The Hindu. 

In an interview with the BBC in Srinagar on August 19, J&K L-G Manoj Sinha said, “The Mirwaiz was not detained. In the past, his father was assassinated, unfortunately. We keep security around his house to protect him. He needs to decide what he wants to do. He is neither under house arrested nor detained.” 

Following the statement, the Mirwaiz announced that he will deliver a Friday sermon, which would have been his first since the Centre abrogated the special provisions of Article 370 on August 5, 2019.

“The administration’s move has saddened me deeply. I also feel sad for those worshippers who had arrived at the Jamia Masjid to hear me,” the Mirwaiz said."