‘Path of dialogue still relevant for Kashmir’: Mirwaiz recalls slain father’s vision after 36 years

Kashmir’s chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, on Friday renewed his call for dialogue and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue, saying the vision of his slain father, Molvi Farooq, remains as relevant today as it was 36 years ago.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who was delivering sermons after the Friday prayers in Srinagar’s Jama Masjid, expressed anguish over restrictions on visiting the martyrs’ graveyard at Eidgah yesterday to offer tributes at the grave of his father and said decades of violence and political uncertainty have left Kashmir without “closure”, while reiterating that dialogue and moderation remain the only path to peace.

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“Wounds remain fresh” even after 36 years of the assassination of Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Farooq, he lamented. “These past thirty-six years have been very tough on Kashmir, witnessing tragedies, violence and loss, and yet no closure.” Referring to his father, Mirwaiz said that “he understood that the Kashmir conflict, while of dominion and territory for India and Pakistan, was played out at the cost of the people of Kashmir who were treated like dumb driven cattle. His political struggle was for their voice to be heard, their democratic aspirations to be respected, and their dignity established”.

“As international commitments made over the issue were never implemented and wars between the neighbouring countries over the conflict got them nowhere, he strongly advocated that they talk to each other to find a way out and, in the process, take the people of Jammu Kashmir along, addressing their concerns and democratic aspirations. His vision and path remain as relevant today as they were thirty-six years ago,” Mirwaiz said.

“Shaheed Mirwaiz strongly abhorred violence. He saw violence and force as weakness not strength. He advocated dialogue and practised it throughout his own life – in his constant outreach to all, even to his political adversaries. He saw dialogue among countries, among communities, among sects and among people as the best means to peaceful and respectful coexistence, leading to their wholesome growth, prosperity and development.”

Mirwaiz said, “For the people of Jammu and Kashmir, his (Mirwaiz Molvi Farooq’s) dream was to see them as an empowered people, kind and humane, flourishing in peace through real and rooted democracy. The path shown by him for resolution, peace, brotherhood, dignity, and coexistence – the path of dialogue and moderation is what has guided me in the ups and downs of these last 36 years as I follow in his footsteps. I pray to Allah that He gives me the strength to fulfil my shaheed father’s dream for his people”, he said.

Mirwaiz also announced that Eid prayers will be held at Eidgah on Wednesday, May 27. He said that Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid will issue a detailed programme regarding the Eid congregational prayers in due course.