The former chief ministers of erstwhile J&K state and other leaders from different political parties on Friday welcomed the administration’s move to allow Jamia Masjid’s head cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to deliver Friday sermons after the gap of four years.

The political leaders expressed their views on X (formerly Twitter).

National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah hoped that the administration would allow Mirwaiz to move freely, interact with people and resume his social and religious responsibilities.

“I welcome the step taken by the administration in J&K to release Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from house arrest. I hope that they allow him to move freely, interact with people & resume his social/religious responsibilities. Today eyes in Kashmir will be on Mirwaiz as he delivers his first Friday sermon in Jamia Masjid after 2019,” Omar wrote on X.

Former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President, Mehbooba Mufti said that Mirwaiz will walk free after years of LG administration’s denial about his detention.

“Finally Mirwaiz Umer Farooq will walk free after years of LGs admin’s denial about his detention. As a religious head he is held in high regard by muslims across J&K. Unfortunate that a tussle has already begun between BJPs various political outfits to claim credit for his release,” Mehbooba Mufti wrote on X.

Peoples Conference (PC) Chairman and former minister, Sajad Gani Lone welcomed Mirwaiz’s release and stated that he symbolises a tradition, which is primarily religious in nature but also has strong societal connotations.

“Welcome the release of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq sahib. It is a joyous day for all of us to hopefully see him leading the prayers. He symbolises a tradition which is primarily religious in nature but also strong societal connotations. This tradition has been routinely interrupted in the last three decades, by all governments. Hope this tradition proposers uninterrupted,” Sajad Lone wrote on X.

Former minister and Apni Party President, Syed Altaf Bukhari thanked Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for Mirwaiz’s release.

“Deeply gratified & delighted by the long-awaited release of Mirwaiz Sahib. This momentous event has indeed ushered in a collective sigh of relief among the masses, particularly his devoted followers. Thanks to @AmitShah @manojsinha_” Altaf Bukhari wrote on X.

CPI (M) and former legislator, Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami said releasing Mirwaiz from illegal confinement is a welcome move, saying that difference of opinion is an important ingredient of democracy, but it should not be used as an excuse to curtail the fundamental rights of people.

“Releasing Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from illegal confinement is a welcome step. Mirwaiz is a well-respected & influential religious leader. Difference of opinion is an important ingredient of democracy. It should not be used as an excuse to curtail the fundamental rights of people. Hope the government respects different shades of opinions, including the media,” Tarigami wrote on X.

Waqf Board Chairperson and BJP leader, Dr Darakshan Andrabi termed the release of Mirwaiz as an appreciable decision by the administration.

Religious scholars belong to all & no group or political party has a copyright for any religious personality, she said.

“Congratulations to respected Brother #MirwaizUmarFarooq Sahib. It is soothing to see you after a highly appreciable decision by the Administration. Religious scholars belong to all & no group or political party has a copyright for any religious personality. I hope, this time politico-theatrical statements will not shadow the happiness of the release of Mirwaiz. Wishing him great for future,” Dr Darakshan Andrabi wrote on X. KNO

Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, on Friday, welcomed the release of two prominent religious leaders in the valley, Moulana Abdul Rashid Dawoodi, the head of Tehreek-e-Sout-ul Auliya, and Moulana Mushtaq Ahmed Veeri, who is affiliated with Jamiat-Ahle-Hadees (JaH). Pertinently, the J&K High Court today quashed the detention orders of both the Muslim clerics, who were booked under the Public Safety Act in September last year and lodged at Kot Bhalwal jail in Jammu.

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In his statement issued to Asian News Hub (ANH), Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari expressed his satisfaction with the release of Moulana Dawoodi and Moulana Veeri, and said, “It brings me immense pleasure that the honorable High Court has ordered the release of these prominent religious leaders, who hold a significant following across the Valley. Their release is highly commendable.”

Reiterating his demand for the release of other religious leaders such as Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Moulana Manzoor, Apni Party president said, “I request the LG Administration to consider the release of Mirwaiz Sahib and Moulana Manzoor as well.”

“These religious leaders wield remarkable influence over the people and can play a pivotal role in helping to eradicate social evils, especially the fast-spreading issue of drug abuse in the Valley” . He added.

Former Member of Parliament, Fayaz Mir has disassociated himself from People’s Conference and said no active politics due to personal reasons.

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Mir on X wrote,”To all my people,I would like to inform that due to some family commitments I have decided to keep myself away from active political engagements. Thankful to all my people for their support.”

Mir had joined the People’s Conference in August 2021 after leaving PDP. If sources are to be believed, Mir is likely to join PDP back.

In the last assembly election, Fayaz Ahmad Mir secured 24603 votes from Kupwara Assembly segment but lost to PC’s Bashir Ahmad Dar by a wafer-thin margin of 151 votes.

Mir, was a former MP of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from north Kashmir. KDC