Srinagar: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, senior All Parties Hurriyat Conference leader, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, has expressed deep concern over the banning of Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom and other educational institutions run by local trusts and committees in the territory, saying such measures are not only endangering the future of hundreds of students but also amount to an attack on the religious identity of Kashmiris.
According to Kashmir24, addressing the Friday congregation at the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar, the Mirwaiz termed the closure of Jamia Siraul Uloom in Shopian district under the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act as a serious matter that has further deepened concerns among people regarding the targeting of local educational and religious institutions in IIOJK.
He referred to recent protests by students and parents of the institution, saying their courage reflected the urgency and deep distress caused by the situation. He said the occupation authorities must understand that if public resentment was not visible, it was due to lack of space for people to express their disagreement and anguish. He warned that continued such policies could further consolidate undercurrent anger and urged the authorities to revisit their approach and allow the reopening of the closed institutions.