Friday prayers offered at Jamia Masjid Srinagar after six weeks

Srinagar Aug 4 (IANS) Authorities on Friday allowed the weekly congregational prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid here after six weeks of restrictions.

The Jamia was closed for Friday prayers in the last week of Ramazan as the authorities had imposed restrictions to maintain law and order in the area and since then people were not allowed to enter it on Fridays.

A large number of worshipers thronged the grand mosque and offered their prayers though separatist leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq who traditionally delivers the Friday sermon was absent as he was placed under house arrest.

Immediately after the Friday prayers stone pelting youths engaged security forces in pitched clashes.

Security forces used tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters.

--IANS
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