A delegation of the Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), led by its patron Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, on Friday called on the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Mohammad Fathali, in New Delhi to convey condolences and express solidarity over the killing of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The delegation included prominent religious leaders from Kashmir, including Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam, Aga Syed Hassan Al-Mosvi, Aga Syed Hadi Al-Mosvi and Aga Syed Mujtaba. The MMU, an amalgam of Islamic religious organisations in Jammu and Kashmir, had also called for a shutdown in Kashmir on March 2 over the killing of Khamenei.
In a statement, the MMU said the delegation conveyed heartfelt condolences on the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, his family members and other members of the leadership, and expressed deep solidarity with the people of Iran in what it described as their hour of hardships.
“On behalf of the people of Kashmir, the delegation stated that the martyrdom of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the prominent and respected leader of the Muslim Ummah, has deeply saddened them,” the statement said.
The delegation also expressed serious concern and condemned the ongoing war imposed on Iran by the United States and Israel and hoped that diplomatic efforts will prevail to bring an end to this aggression, restoring peace and stability.
The delegation also highlighted the deep-rooted cultural, historical, and religious ties between Kashmir and Iran, noting that Kashmir has long been referred to as “Iran-e-Sagheer” (Little Iran), reflecting the enduring bonds between the two peoples.
MMU reiterated that unity, steadfastness and collective prayers for peace is the need of the hour for the ummah to face these challenges.
Earlier, on March 10, president of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Farooq Abdullah, visited the Embassy of the Iran to offer condolences over the assassination of Khamenei. He was accompanied by the party’s three Rajya Sabha MPs Sajad Kitchloo, Choudhary Ramzan, and Gurwinder Singh Oberoi.
Separately, president of the Peoples Democratic Party and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, also visited the embassy on March 9 and expressed her condolences and solidarity with the people of Iran.
