Separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq delivers the Friday sermon at Jamia Masjid in Srinagar on September 22. AFP
Separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq delivers the Friday sermon at Jamia Masjid in Srinagar on September 22. AFP
Separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq delivers the Friday sermon at Jamia Masjid in Srinagar on September 22. AFP
Separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq delivers the Friday sermon at Jamia Masjid in Srinagar on September 22. AFP

Kashmiri religious leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq released after four years of house arrest


Taniya Dutta
  • English
  • Arabic

Kashmiri religious head and separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was released from house arrest on Friday and allowed to take part in Friday prayers, four years after he was detained.

His arrest followed the government of Narendra Modi revoking the special autonomous status of Kashmir, which is disputed between India and Pakistan.

Mr Farooq, 50, is the religious leader of the Muslim community in the Kashmir Valley as well as the chairman of the Hurriyat Conference, an alliance of over two dozen separatist and religious groups in the valley.

He was detained a day after New Delhi abruptly repealed Article 370 which gave certain autonomous powers to the region on August 4, 2019.

The Muslim majority Himalayan Kashmir region is ruled by India and Pakistan in parts but claimed by both in its entirety since British colonisers left the subcontinent in 1947.

The two countries have fought three wars over the region and a three-decades-long armed insurgency has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people.

New Delhi argues that Kashmir's semi-autonomous status fuelled separatist sentiments in Kashmir and deprived the region of investment and development.

Mr Farooq was among dozens of anti-India political figures who were arrested or put under house detention in early 2019, amid fears they were fomenting and funding street protests.

He was allowed to take part in the Friday congregational prayers at the Jamia Masjid in Srinagar, said the Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid, the management committee of the mosque. Mr Farooq heads the mosque.

Security personnel stand guard during a lockdown in Srinagar on August 14, 2019, after India stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its autonomy. AFP
Security personnel stand guard during a lockdown in Srinagar on August 14, 2019, after India stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its autonomy. AFP

He had filed a petition with the Jammu and Kashmir High Court challenging his “illegal” detention and sought “to avail the freedom and liberty guaranteed to him under the (Indian) Constitution”.

The court had on September 15 sought a reply from the administration that comes under the direct rule of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's central government within four weeks.

Mr Farooq had pleaded before the court to be allowed to deliver Friday sermons and lead the Friday congregational prayers and that the “impediments into his day-to-day life including his free movement as a citizen be removed”.

Former chief minister of the region Omar Abdullah welcomed the administration's decision to release Mr Farooq.

“We welcome this step by the government. He should not have been held under house arrest for so long. Now that he has been released it means that the situation here is not so bad and elections can be conducted. We hope he will fulfil his socio-religious role now,” Mr Abdullah said.

Tuesday's fixtures
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Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
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UK's plans to cut net migration

Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.

Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.

But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.

Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.

Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.

The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.

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Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
The specs: 2018 Jaguar E-Pace First Edition

Price, base / as tested: Dh186,480 / Dh252,735

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder

Power: 246hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 365Nm @ 1,200rpm

Transmission: Nine-speed automatic

Fuel consumption, combined: 7.7L / 100km

Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

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What is the FNC?

The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning. 
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval. 
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
 

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
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The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


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Museum of the Future in numbers
  •  78 metres is the height of the museum
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  •  17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
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The specs

BMW M8 Competition Coupe

Engine 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8

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Updated: September 22, 2023, 10:55 AM`