Hardline Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Friday led funeral prayers here for al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.
Mr. Geelani had asked all Imams to organise prayers for Osama. However, there was not much response.
Addressing a gathering at Batmaloo, Mr. Geelani condemned the United States for burying the slain Osama in sea, and said Islam scholars worldwide denounced this act.
He alleged that a conspiracy was on against Pakistan and that the powers had an eye on nuclear bombs in that country. He prayed for the safety of Pakistan. People shouted pro-azadi and pro-Osama slogans.
Earlier, the police put Mr. Geelani under house arrest. Later, he was allowed to proceed to Batmaloo.
At another prayer, Democratic Freedom Party chief Shabir Shah paid tributes to Osama. He said: “One can have differences with enemy, but those end with his death.”
Special prayers were offered in mosques in Srinagar, Pulwama, Bijbehara and Baramulla.
PTI reports:
Protests erupted in the Batmaloo area soon after the funeral prayers. Masked youth clashed with police and CRPF personnel soon after Mr. Geelani addressed the gathering.
The crowd called Osama a “martyr,” who sacrificed his life for the cause of Islam.
The protests lasted over an hour as the police, armed with riot gear, chased the youth who threw stones at them. However, there were no reports of any injury.
Keywords: Osama death, funeral prayers, Kashmir separatists
Loved the comments above. But didn't any one of you realize that none among the billion plus population in India, or the 18 crore Indian muslims, only the people in Srinagar held this kind of an event. Why?? Because, these people are still craving for the freedom that their fellow Indians enjoy. The Indian government has been miserable at handling the situation in Srinagar. They have no source of hope, but to depend on these extremists.
Osama spearheaded a movement which killed many innocent people. To elevate him to a high eminence and make him a role model for youth in any country seems outright insult to all civilized values. In Pakistan alone he could claim a record of crops of heads of innocent people while worshipping or returning from worship or right on the holy precincts. It is sad many intellectuals pay their obeisance to Osma while coolly ignore the heinous atrocities that the organization he led perpetrated on people of his own faith.
I strongly believe in my religion and I equally respect all other religions.Any Religion tells us to live in Peace and Harmony,and so are we. Religion is just a belief and set of rules for us.Nothing is beyond Humanity and do not let Religion embraces Humanity.Now its the time for our Authorities to act against Hard liners/extremists in any religion. They do not deserve a place. People like Gilani who are very much against India should be stopped. I do not understand their attitude for praying Osama's peace.He is so poised towards Pakistan, and he can be exiled from this country and let him seek asylum. He deserves no place here for exploitation of innocent Muslims.
It is a real pity that in a country like India who has set intrepid examples of fighting against wrong, be it the foreign rule or the trespassers at LOC, we have such people who are offering prayers on the death of such a person who has committed a heinous crime of killing several innocent people. His death should in fact serve as a deterrent to other terrorists. The acts of prayer for Osama and idolizing him as a protector of Islam are itself an injustice to the Islam. Osama was following the religion of terror and associating such deeds with Islam will attract critics from all the sections. People in India can understand the aftermath of terrorists act better than all, then why there are such prayers in India
Mr.Gilani you can pray for a Terrorist in Isolation, within the four walls of your house but not openly for Osama who by no means was a Muslim. All his acts were against the preachings of the Holy Prophet.You should feel embarassed to even think good of a Mass Murderer responsible for the death of so many innocents across the world.Rather your actions will work against the interest of peace loving kashmiris
I totally agree with Fareed and SG's comments. true Muslims should should draw a line between Right and Wrong. Islam never preaches any killings, it preaches peace and co-existence. And the very interpretation of Kaffir (Infidel) is also doubtful. What I understood is Kaffir is a non-believer of God. And people from other parts of the world believe in God in other forms. So it is absolutely wrong to call them as Kaffir. Hindus, Christians, Budhists, Jains and any other cult, all do believe in God. So the only way out there is to enlighten those who are misguided about Islam and killing of innocents. A true God believer can never kill a fellow being in the name of God. I am a God believer, I do respect all religions, but I don't call any name (religion) for my faith in God, just because the almighty never created any Religion. Osama may have his own compulsions to kill people, but as civilised people, we should segregate what is a religion and what is all about these killings.
I am surprised to see this huge crowd to attend the the prayesrs for Osama Bin Laden, the world's biggest and the most deadliest terrorist. Quran Sharif, the sacred book of Islam no more allows to kill anyone. But I think some miscreants, self styled pro-muslim ulemas are destroying the holy image of Islam. Any killer or murderer should not be hailed by muslim community, rather his act should be condemned strongly. I am really ashamed to see that J&K is continusouly in the hands of hurriyats & extremists.
The accompanying picture is scary.While it is certainly not good to gloat over or celebrate anybody's death,a person like OBL deserves no martyrdom.Among the millions of Muslims,even if a hundred consider Osama a 'Shaheed' that is a dangerous dangerous prospect.And I do not think this mindset can be attributed to American policies in Palestine,Afghanistan or Iraq alone.The fundamental issue is a certain lack of tolerance for other faiths and beliefs,even if they are halfway across the world.Indeed,this can also be said of the Americans.I think this problem cuts across countries,regions and religions.It is a problem of the whole world and has to be addressed at a global scale.
Religion is a way to live in harmony with others. Religion is for human beings, Human being is not for Religion. Anything that is against Humanity whether it is in any religion or not, it should be condemned. Killing of Human being cannot be justified. Osama Bin Laden killed thousands, so this act should be condemned, But extremists are declaring him martyr. Even USA killed thousands in Iraq and Afghanistan, I condemn this also.
I'm an Indian citizen and I'm not pro or anti any country, including Pakistan and the United States, but I think glorifying any person who has harmed others is wrong. While I'm glad this group who support Osama's cause have the freedom to let their voice be heard, our government and other citizens should work towards ending their ignorance. I hope these people one-day understand that Osama and other terrorists are not working to promote and protect Islam.
Outrageous!!These people are praising a coward and brutal killer who has made Islam synonymous to Terrorism.Indian governemnt should not allow these kind of protests.
Why do you even publish such story? They don't deserve any coverage. think of 9/11
. I wonder how the Government allow some extremists like this to go ahead and offer prayers in name of those who have slaughtered thousands without a thought. Such extremist attempts at itself are allowing communal divide to grow, and such attempts to glorify those who are wrong, should be curbed at its very root.
As a Kashmiri Muslim, this makes me hang my head in shame. Why in Gods name are we praying for this murderer? These people do not speak for me.
This fellow Geelani is also allowed to hold meetings in New Delhi as if he is a freedom fighter. India should know where to draw the line when dealing with the likes of Geelani.
When Pakistan itself is accepting its failures in being caught unawares of bil laden presence so close to their capital city and al Qaeda is warning Pakistan of deadly revenge, Mr. Geelani seems to be the lone voice crying Pakistan's innocence. His call for funerals seem nothing but a provocation to start the summer violence which has become an annual feature in Kashmir.
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