Jammu, Dec 14 (IANS) Chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (Geelani) and separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani was barred from addressing the Friday congregation here at Jamia Masjid in Jammu and Kashmir.
Geelani, who arrived in Jammu two days ago, had gone to offer prayers at the main mosque in the walled city in the Muslim majority area of Talab Khatijkan Friday afternoon.
Before prayers started, he rose to speak but was reprimanded by the Imam (priest) of the mosque.
After the prayers, Geelani told reporters that the attitude of the Imam in denying him the right to speak on the religious matters was under the “dictates of the government”.
He said, “The government was trying to take control of mosques and curbing the rights of the people to express themselves on religious matters.”
Geelani has plans to address the Eid-ul-Zuha congregation Dec 21.