Geelani prays for Osama, Pakistan

Funeral prayers were held for slain al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in several mosques in the Kashmir Valley after the Friday prayers.

Geelani prays for Osama, Pakistan

Funeral prayers were held for slain al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in several mosques in the Kashmir Valley after the Friday prayers.u00a0Hardline Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani also held funeral prayers for Osama, led by a local Imam at Batmaloo yesterday, saying it was his religious duty to hold prayers for the 'martyr'.u00a0He also urged those gathered there to pray for the safety of Pakistan, saying it was an atomic Muslim country facing a threat from the entire world.

In prayer: Kashmiri people, led by separatist leader Syed Ali Shah
Geelani, gather to pray for Osama bin Laden in Srinagar. Pic/PTI

"Religious scholars have expressed anger and resentment that after the martyrdom of Osama, his body was buried at sea. We are trying to fulfill our religious duty by offering funeral prayers," he said. He added that Pakistan is in danger as the world is against it being the only Muslim country, which has atomic power. He said, "Everyone is trying to destroy its atomic power. We should all pray before Allah for the safety of Pakistan."

The Hurriyat hardliner, who was released from house arrest an hour before Friday prayers, said peace between India and Pakistan is possible only if Kashmiris are given the right to self-determination. He added that peace would not be established in the world until Palestine is free and Chechnya is given their right to self-determination.

"We want peace, but peace cannot be achieved until enslaved countries are freed and occupational forces withdraw from Afghanistan and Iraq," he added. Official sources said that prayers for Osama were held at Samandarbagh, Sarai Bala, old Barzullah and inside the premises of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court. Reports also came in of similar scenes in Awantipora, Pulwama, Baramulla, Sopore and Kupwara towns of the Valley.