In October 2014, Farooq was listed as one of The 500 Most Influential Muslims by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre, Jordan.

Mirwaiz Maulvi Farooq's funeral procession on 21 May 1990, witnessed the bloodshed near the Islamia College, wherein 72 people, including four women, were killed; his body was dropped in the middle of the road.

This roused public sentiment and gave leverage to Mirwaiz Umar Farooq's political work in the valley.

Later, Abdullah formed the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference and my grandfather was exiled to Pakistan where he died.

"[10] Before joining Kashmir politics, Farooq was an alumnus of Burn Hall School in Srinagar.

[11][12][13] The All Parties Hurriyat Conference, an alliance of Kashmiri political and social organisations seeking a referendum, was formed in September 1993 and Farooq was elected as its first chairman due to it consisting mostly of secular organisations, despite Syed Ali Shah Geelani being the initial choice.

After than Jammu & Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen president Maulana Masroor Abbas Ansari was arrested by police from his residence at Nawa Kadal before Friday prayers.

[26] A report published by India Today, on September 20, 2019 stated that Moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, signed bond to secure his release.

[28][29][30] A week before his release, high court, had issued a notice asking the Jammu and Kashmir administration to respond to a Habeas Corpus petition challenging the “illegal confinement” of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

[31] Since his house arrest on 4 August 2019, Mirwaiz was continuously disallowed from conducting sermon and offering Friday prayers for 212 consecutive Fridays, until his release on 22 September 2023 by Jammu and Kashmir administration, after over 4 years and was allowed to lead prayers at Jamia Masjid, Srinagar.