Unity moves among the moderate section of separatists gathered momentum on Friday as Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Yasin Malik showed up at the Jamia Masjid to offer prayers along with Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
The Mirwaiz, who heads the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference, had called for unity in the separatist camp and asked leaders to join him at the Eidgah for offering Eid prayers.
However, hardline separatist Syed Ali Geelani rejected the offer and announced that he would offer prayers at the Hazratbal shrine. Since he was arrested on Wednesday, it is unlikely he will be able to do so.
Sources said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was also unlikely to offer prayers at the Hazratbal shrine on Saturday.
Despite his positive response to the call for unity, Mr. Malik announced that he would offer Eid prayers with another religious group at the Jamiat-e-Ahla Hadees on Saturday.
However, Mr. Malik's presence at the Jamia Masjid was significant as the moderates have maintained a distance from Mr. Geelani during the past three months of agitation.
Supportive
The Mirwaiz welcomed the JKLF chief's response saying: “He has always supported the move for unity and has been playing an important role in ongoing struggle.” He also renewed the call for closing ranks in the separatist camp.
The Mirwaiz condemned the video put on the social networking site Facebook, purportedly showing a naked parade of young Kashmiris being conducted by the police and the Army. “This is the worst example of State terrorism.”
‘Time to join hands'
Mr. Malik said this was the time for the entire separatist leadership to join hands to achieve the goal.
The JKLF chief called upon youth to remain peaceful during their agitation, as “indiscipline would harm our movement.”
Later, both the Mirwaiz and Mr. Malik led thousands of people who took out a procession.
