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Mirwaiz expresses concern over closure of school-cum-seminary under UAPA in Kashmir
In his Friday sermon on May 8, 2026, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq criticized the closure of Jamia Siraj Ul Uloom school under UAPA, saying it jeopardizes hundreds of students and signals targeting of religious identity. Protests by students and parents occurred in Shopian on May 7, 2026, highlighting the immediate distress caused by the action.
Why It Matters
The closure under UAPA raises questions about the use of anti-terror laws in the education sector and its impact on minority religious communities, education access, and trust in authorities amid ongoing regional tensions.
Timeline
2 Events
Friday sermon by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on closure under UAPA
May 8, 2026
In his Friday sermon, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq stated that the banning of Jamia Siraj Ul Uloom under UAPA is a serious matter that has stoked apprehension about targeting religious identity and has ruined the future of hundreds of students. He urged the government to reconsider and reopen the institution.
Protests by students and parents over closure under UAPA in Shopian
May 7, 2026
Protests by students and parents took place in Shopian on Thursday, May 7, 2026, over the reported closure of Jamia Siraj Ul Uloom school under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The demonstrations indicated urgency and distress among the community.