Barring few incidents of protests, Friday prayers remain peaceful

Srinagar, Aug 29 (UNI) Barring a few incidents of protests, the Friday prayers in the summer capital and other parts of the Kashmir valley passed off peacefully.

However, no prayers were offered in the historic Jamia masjid and other mosques which are on the roadside because of curfew restrictions.

People, in the city and its outskirts, offered prayers in the local mosques.

However, almost all mosques situated on the roadside remained closed and nobody was allowed to enter inside because of the curfew.

No prayes were offered in the historic Jamia Masjid in the Nowhatta area of the city, stronghold of Hurriyat Conference (HC) chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, now under detention since August 24.

However, thousands of people living in the localities around the shrine of Sheikh Makhdoom Sahib, joined the prayers there.

Later, people raised pro freedom and anti government slogans for about half an hour before dispersing peacefully.

Similar demonstrations were also held at several places, including Dooru, Dangwachi and old town Baramulla after the friday prayers.

The number of devotees at the holy Hazratbal shrine, which houses the holy relic of Prophet Mohammad, Peer Dashtigar Sahib and Sheikh Yaqoob Shrines was meagre because of the curfew.

Reports of offering Friday prayers in only local mosques were also received from other parts of the valley.

However, a Shia and Hurriyat leader, Aga Syed Hassan, under house arrest since August 24, said other people in the central Kashmir district of Badgam were not allowed to offer prayers in the mosques.

UNI BAS AE AS1632