Srinagar, Feb 13 (Reporter) Anjuman Auqaf, the managing body of Jamia Masjid, Thursday said that authorities have disallowed the Shab-e-Baraat (Night of Salvation) congregation at the historic mosque in old Srinagar. J&K chief Minister Omar Abdullah termed the sealing of the mosque very unfortunate , stating that this reflects a lack of confidence in the people as well as in the law and order machinery. "It is very unfortunate that the security establishment has taken the decision to seal the historic Jamia Masjid, Srinagar on one of the holiest nights in the Islamic calendar - #shabebaraat. This decision betrays a lack in confidence in the people & a lack of confidence in the law & order machinery that calm won’t prevail without extreme measures. The people of Srinagar deserved better," Abdullah said in a post on X. Earlier, the Anjuman Auqaf said this is for the sixth consecutive year in a row that Shab-e-Baraat congregation has been disallowed at the Jamia mosque in Srinagar. There was no word from officials on disallowing the congregation prayers at Jamia. The Shab-e-Barat is observed by Muslims on the intervening night of the 14th and 15th days of Sha’ban, the eighth month of the Islamic calendar. According to a tradition, though not believed by all Muslims, God determines the fate of all people for the coming year during the night of Shab-e-Baraat only. In a statement Anjuman Auqaf informed that following Asr prayers (late afternoon prayers), authorities abruptly closed the gates of Jamia Masjid Srinagar, while police personnel asked worshippers to vacate the mosque premises. The Auqaf was further informed that the observance of Shab-e-Baraat would not be permitted at the Jama Masjid, the statement said. The Auqaf said the Kashmir's chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was once again placed under house arrest earlier this morning at his residence, preventing him from carrying out his religious duties. Anjuman Auqaf expressed profound disappointment over this decision and strongly condemned these repressive measures. “It is deeply unfortunate that every time an important religious occasion arrives, people in large numbers who visit the Jama Masjid are left disappointed to find the grand mosque forcibly closed and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq barred from fulfilling his religious responsibilities. Such repeated restrictions not only hurt the sentiments of the people but also infringe upon their fundamental religious rights, “ the Auqaf said...////...