The protest marches were organized in Magam, Abi Guzar, Pattan and Alamgari Bazar areas of Kashmir Valley and Kargil of Ladakh. The protestors were raising slogans against Israel and demanded resolution of Palestinian issue.
Muslims across the world observe the Jumat-ul-Vida, the last Friday of Ramazan–the holiest month of the muslim lunar calendar–as Youm-e Quds, to stress upon the urgent need for a peaceful resolution of the lingering Palestinian issue and protest against the occupation of Masjid-Al-Aqsa–the third holiest site in Islam.
“Kargil stands unshaken! Thousands rally at massive Quds Day, denouncing US-Zionist aggression and amplifying solidarity with Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen,” said Sajjad Kargili,a prominent political leader from Kargil.
In Kashmir, hundreds of people marched on the streets of Magam including men and women raising slogans against Israel and spoke about the recent killings of Palestinians despite the ceasefire. “Just participating in these marches won’t help the cause. People should boycott the products of Israel and its supporters,” said a young female supporter in Magam. The protestors raised slogans against Israel and the US.
Lok Sabha member from Srinagar and prominent Shia leader Ruhullah Mehdi also addressed the Quds Day Conference in Delhi. “I stand in unwavering solidarity with the people of Palestine,” said Mehdi. He also highlighted the ‘oppressive measures in Kashmir’ drawing parallels between the shared struggles against injustice.Meanwhile, Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid in Srinagar strongly condemned and expressed deep regret over the unjustified restrictions imposed by the state administration for the sixth consecutive year on holding the most significant religious gatherings of Muslims—Shab-e-Qadr and Juma Tul-Wida at the historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar, where Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, addresses the congregation. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who has been under house detention at his residence since yesterday, said on X, “Want to ask the authorities why is this most important centre of Kashmir’s religious identity and affinity repeatedly targeted and people’s fundamental right to religious practice curbed, when tall claims of normalcy are trumpeted every day?” Mirwaiz asked. He further said that “those ruling in peoples name cannot absolve themselves from standing up to address this gross injustice towards Muslims of the valley and the repeated closure of Jama Masjid.”
J&K police has registered two separate FIRs in Beerwah of Budgam district and Pattan of Baramulla in connection with the pro-Palestinian rallies organized on the last Friday of Ramazan in Kashmir. Police has booked protestors protestors under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in Baramulla district.
In Budgam district police registered case under sections 126(2) (wrongful restraint) and 189(6) (unlawful assembly) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) concerning the pro-Palestinian protests.
“By sloganeering, the organizers attempted to create a law and order situation and blocked the Sonpah-Beerwah road, thereby causing obstruction to the smooth movement of the general public,” police in Budgam said in a statement said.
