New Delhi: A huge part of media has reported on Pahalgam killings “factiously”, and with “detestable hatred”, leading to targeting of Kashmiris across India, said Hurriyat Conference chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq during Friday’s congregatory prayers as he condemned the heinous attack.
He said that it is due to the media’s role that Kashmiri students have been forced to leave their hostels and move back to their homes. “Kashmiris are really troubled by all this. We appeal to the different state governments to ensure the safety of Kashmiris,” he said during the sermon.
The Mirwaiz of Kashmir was allowed to offer the Friday congregational prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar’s Nowhatta after four weeks of restrictions, where he, along with the people, observed a minute’s silence in solidarity with the families of the victims.
In a post on his X account later, he wrote: “I Return to Jama Masjid After Month-Long Restrictions. Condemn Brutal Killings, Pay Tribute to Victims and Rescuers. Urge Safety for Kashmiris, Denounce Media Vilification.”
I Return to Jama Masjid After Month-Long Restrictions
Condemn Brutal Killings, Pay Tribute to Victims and Rescuers
Urge Safety for Kashmiris, Denounce Media Vilification
Today, after more than one month, authorities allowed me to come to Jama Masjid. Repeatedly, I am barred… pic.twitter.com/98SjL15RPp
— Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) April 25, 2025
During his brief speech, he requested the government to allow him to meet the families of the injured, who are being treated in the Army hospital in Srinagar as well as the family of Syed Adil Hussain Shah, the pony ride operator who was killed while trying to save the tourists.
“People of Jammu and Kashmir opened their doors to the tourists and they observed a complete shutdown to silently protest against the killings. They burnt candles to show their remorse. We are an equal part of this pain,” he said, adding that Kashmiris have proven that they are in solidarity with the victims.
The Mirwaiz also noted that he has not been allowed to visit Jamia Masjid for the past month, and has been “forcibly” stopped and “locked” in his house. “This is not just painful for me, but for all those who want to come here. The government’s behaviour is very disappointing.”
Requesting that Kashmiris not be stopped from offering prayers at Jamia Masjid, he said, “Only truth will be spoken from this pulpit, no matter how bitter it might be. No matter if someone likes it or not.”
Mirwaiz further said that it is his duty to speak out loud against the injustice and added that nobody knows the pain of losing a loved one more than the people of Kashmir. “As per the Islamic calendar, today marks 36 years of my father’s killing. This is the story of thousands of houses [in Kashmir]. Nobody can feel this pain more than us,” he said, referring to the killing of his father, the former Mirwaiz of Jammu and Kashmir, Maulana Mohammad Farooq in 1990.
Praying for the bereaved families, Mirwaiz said that Kashmiris have kept their hearts and homes open for tourists. People like Syed Adil Hussain Shah put their lives in danger to save the tourists, he added. “This is not just their pain, we are a part of it… The people of Kashmir are shedding blood from their eyes.”
(Edited by Mannat Chugh)
Also Read: Kashmiris defying fear to denounce Pahalgam attack. ‘Terrorists can kill us, but won’t stay quiet’