Kashmir’s chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, on Friday praised Pakistan’s proactive diplomatic push to ease tensions in the conflict-hit Middle East, terming its peace efforts — alongside Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt — as “commendable” and crucial at a time of global uncertainty, while expressing hope that these initiatives will pave the way for stability and justice.
Describing it as “commendable”, Mirwaiz also lauded the stand taken by revered Pope Leo on the US-Israel war with Iran and appealed to all global religious leaders of all communities to put their weight behind it, calling for global peace and justice for all humanity .
In his Friday sermon at Srinagar’s Jama Masjid, the Mirwaiz, while highlighting the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, commended Pakistan’s role in international diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation, saying the country’s engagement, supported by key regional powers, offers a ray of hope for peace as the world looks toward meaningful resolution of the crisis. “We pray that these efforts bear fruit as the whole world is looking up to bringing peace and stability”, he added.
“This year, the Hajj journey from tomorrow comes at a time when the world, especially the Middle East, is going through a deep turmoil. Across the Middle East, especially in Iran Lebanon and Palestine we are witnessing immense suffering, bloodshed, and uncertainty. Innocent lives continue to be lost, people are living in constant fear for their lives and populations are being forced to leave homes and migrate”.
He said that “the aggression by Israel supported by the US despite ceasefire commitments, continues. In such a time, the pilgrimage of Hajj becomes not just an individual worship but a time to collectively pray for peace and justice to prevail in the world – it represents the moral conscience of the Ummah”.
“During such a serious global crisis , it is very important, infact I believe it’s the responsibility of religious and spiritual fugues and leaders of all communities , from all over the globe to speak up in unison , to power for the sake of humanity and condemn wars and aggression , advocating instead for peace and dialogue and humanity as means of resolution”.
“If the long-term occupation of Palestinians and resultant injustice is resolved on principles of natural justice and international law -which I believe are the underlying cause of this crisis, it will disappear and viable peace prevail in the region”, Mirwaiz added.