The spiritual leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Syed Ali Hussayni Khamenei once again reiterated his support for the Kashmir cause by reaffirming his commitment to the oppressed people of Palestine, Bahrain, Yemen and Kashmir during his recent Eid al Fitr sermon.
The supreme leader said that Islamic world should support Yemen, Bahrain and Kashmir. This statement was widely hailed by the people in Kashmir.
Kashmir is without any doubt an international dispute which no one can deny. There are number of resolutions pending in the United Nations on the Kashmir imbroglio and many world leaders have expressed their concerns about the negative impact of this long pending issue on world peace. This issue is being discussed in world forums, including OIC. Iran is one of the few countries which is supporting the Kashmiri peoples right to determine their political destiny. It comes under the important parameters of Iranian policy to support the oppressed people throughout the world irrespective of caste, creed and religion. This isn’t the first time Iran’s leader has spoken about the Kashmir issue. He, like his predecessor, Imam Khomeini, has time and again expressed his support for the oppressed people of Kashmir who are caught in the vortex of conflict not of their making. In his views, what Kashmiri people express is nothing but truth and just and those who silence them have an unjust cause. Those who attack them are the ones who are doing the wrong action.
Ayatollah also said in his sermon that, when an enemy takes over Muslim lands, jihad in any possible form becomes everyones duty, according to Islamic jurisprudence. But he hastened to add that “Palestine is the number one issue of the Islamic world, but some Muslim countries are acting in such a way as if the Palestinian case had been ignored and forgotten.
Supreme Leader equated the on-going Kashmir conflict with that of Yemen and Bahrain saying that the Muslim world must express their disdain against ‘oppressors’ who have attacked people in such horrible ways even during the holy month of Ramadan.
Since Ayatollah Khamenei is Wali-e-faqih (a top jurist) his statements are binding upon his Muqalideen (followers). The statement has created some confusion among certain circles in Kashmir. Observing the statement in the context of Kashmir, many people have expressed their own views based on their own understanding of islamic jurisprudence.
Whether Ayatollah has validated jihad in Kashmir or is it only a political statement? By naming Kashmir does he calls for jihad and do we have to follow the path of the likes of Zakir Moosa? Or has the statement more to do with the humanitarian crisis and killings of innocents here? This confusion needs to be cleared as some believe that according to Jafari Fiqh (Jafari Jurisprudence) he can’t issue Fatwa for Jehad during the time of occultation of Imam of the age but can only call for defence as Ayatollah Sistini did in Iraq in 2014 or Imam Khomeini prior to him during Saddam Husseins invasion of Iran in early eighties. Ayatollah Khamenei has already communicated his response to several queries from Kashmir some 18 years before, where he stated in unambiguous terms that defending ones honour, dignity and self respect is Wajib (obligatory) upon all Muslims.
Here it is important to to note the significance of the timing of the statement as well. Terrorists led by Daesh are on the retreat in Iraq & Syria thanks to Irans all out support to Damascus and Baghdad. US sponsored wars in Syria and Yemen are failing to bring any dividends to Washington and its Arab allies and Islamic Republic is on the ascendance. US President Donald Trumps visit to Saudi Arabia to raise the fledgling morale of the US client states only plunged the Islamic/ Arab world into further chaos. His visit on the contrary strengthened principled Iranian position and led to the split in anti-Iran Gulf Cooperation Council.
The support from Iran has come at a time when Kashmiri people have been left alone by the global community and when our youth are being pushed to wall and are left with no choice but to resort to extreme measures.
The support from Iran has come at a time when Kashmiri people have been left alone by the global community and when our youth are being pushed to wall and are left with no choice but to resort to extreme measures.
This expression of support from Iran coincidentally comes at a time when Daesh influenced groups are for the first time trying to strike roots in Jammu & Kashmir.
At the same time we need to accept this fact that Islamic Republic has always called for peaceful resolutions of the disputes worldwide and has never advocated violence of any type. Its involvement in the conflicts of Iraq, Syria and Lebanon is defensive in nature as it entered those regions after these countries faced a virtual rout at the hands of terrorists or Israel in case of Lebanon.
Iran has time and again offered to mediate between India and Pakistan as it does in case of Syria, like the talks in Astana.
Iranians believe that Kashmiri people are sandwiched between two competing powers with interests in Kashmir. Killings and counter killings in Kashmir are only piling up but have not done any good to Kashmir cause. Since last many decades thousands have become victim of Kashmir conflict. This has only brought misery to people and caused damage rather than creating a favorable condition for the solution of Kashmir problem. Thats why Imam Khamenei brought in humanitarian angle to the fore and wants humanity to play role to resolve Kashmir dispute as per the wishes and aspirations of people of Kashmir. And thats why perhaps his eminence has said that Kashmir is an issue of humanity not of India Pakistan alone.
He can never say anything which goes against the principles of Islam. That’s why he clubbed Kashmir with Yemen and Bahrain, where innocent blood is shed day in and day out. India and Pakistan need to follow the human approach towards Kashmiris and solve this long pending issue according to the wishes and aspirations of its own people.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
ACT NOW |
MONTHLY | Rs 100 | |
YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |