It was a spiritual victory for Kashmir’s separatist leader as restrictions were eased. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was back where his heart truly lies—leading prayers at Srinagar’s Grand Mosque, a scene unchanged for generations.
The Hurriyat chair had been confined to his home for five months as tensions simmered. But yesterday, officials granted him passage for the first time since curbs were imposed.
Wrapped in prayer, Mirwaiz entered the ornate shrine as worshippers welcomed their familiar figure. Precious moments of commune followed, a small yet meaningful act of defiance against those wishing to smother dissident voices.
The cleric has mounted a legal challenge against curbs on his movement. While the administration was granted time to respond, such concessions indicate rights cannot be revoked without recourse.
For a valley craving normalcy, moments that restore snatched traditions offer solace. As political storms rage, places of worship stand as anchors of ancestral knowledge. In their shelter, understanding may yet take root again.
