Mirwaiz Umar Farooq delivers sermon at Jama Masjid after house arrest
The Kashmir chief cleric expressed concern over restrictions on his religious activities and welcomed new wedding feast regulations by chefs.
Kashmir chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was allowed to deliver a sermon at the historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar on Friday, November 13, 2026, after being under house arrest for two weeks, according to The Hindu.
During the sermon, the Mirwaiz expressed concern regarding repeated restrictions on his religious and public activities. He said such arbitrary measures cause inconvenience and interfere with his religious obligations as the Mirwaiz.
The cleric also welcomed a decision by the Kashmir Waza Association to regulate wedding feast timings. The body of chefs decided not to serve dinners after 10 p.m. due to prolonged working hours and lack of sleep.
The Mirwaiz described the initiative as a positive step toward bringing discipline and simplicity to marriage celebrations. He stated that the Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU) will provide full support for such social reform efforts.
The Mirwaiz noted that more work is needed regarding growing extravagance and excessive expenditure in weddings. He urged society to make marriages simpler, dignified, and affordable in accordance with Islamic teachings.
The Kashmir Waza Association recently decided to seek bonds from hosts regarding dinner timings to address the challenges faced by the waza community.