Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who claimed that he has been placed under house arrest, on Friday said wars and violence are man-made catastrophes that lead to the loss of countless innocent lives.
He also expressed deep concern over the continued restrictions in the Valley, particularly on a Friday during the holy month of Ramzan.
In a post on X, Mirwaiz said that in these greatly blessed days, when thousands of people come to mosques seeking blessings and guidance, the pulpit of the historic Jamia Masjid remains silent while all lanes and by-lanes leading to the mosque have been barricaded.
He described the situation as “very sad and unfortunate.”
Mirwaiz said that the sorrow being felt in Kashmir today is not only because of these restrictions but also due to the grave developments unfolding in the region. He noted that Muslims across the world are deeply aggrieved and anxious over Israeli and American aggression in the region.
He said that Israel and the United States appear intent on reshaping the region to suit their interests and, in pursuit of this objective, are willing to go to any extent.
Referring to the killing of a head of state and prominent spiritual leader, Ayatullah Khamenei and the attack on the sovereign nation of Iran, Mirwaiz said these developments have plunged the entire region into crisis and grief.
Mirwaiz noted that people across Jammu and Kashmir, from the Valley to Jammu, Ladakh and Kargil have expressed strong condemnation of this aggression and have voiced solidarity beyond divisions, standing together as one ‘Ummah’ .
“The Ummah cannot be divided in moments like this. When injustice is inflicted upon one part, the pain is felt by the entire body,” he said.
Expressing solidarity, Mirwaiz said he stands with the people of Iran, the Palestinians, and all those bearing the brunt of aggression in the region and beyond.
Emphasising that every human life is precious, he said wars and violence are man-made catastrophes that lead to the loss of countless innocent lives.
