Mirwaiz held under house detention for sixth day; Friday prayers blocked

The Mirwaiz, Kashmir's most senior Islamic cleric, continues to be held under restrictive detention at his residence in Srinagar, with authorities barring him from accessing the Jama Masjid for Friday prayers. The restrictions, now in their sixth day, represent an escalation in constraints on the religious leader's movement and public activities.

During his last permitted sermon, the Mirwaiz had referenced findings from the International Crisis Group's report on Jammu and Kashmir, drawing attention to the situation of political prisoners and alleged erosion of civil liberties in the region. He also underscored the necessity for substantive political dialogue and reconciliation efforts to address Kashmir's longstanding tensions.

The detention has drawn attention to questions about freedom of religious expression and movement in Kashmir. The Mirwaiz is a prominent religious and political voice in the Valley, and his confinement signals heightened restrictions on dissenting perspectives in the region.

The specific reasons cited for the continued house detention remain unclear. Such restrictions on religious leaders and places of worship have periodically drawn criticism from civil liberties groups and international observers monitoring the Kashmir situation.