Srinagar: Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU), a conglomerate of major religious bodies of Jammu & Kashmir on Saturday called for maintaining peace and sectarian harmony following a controversy over a mourning ritual during Muharram by some members of the Shia community inside Khanqah of Mir Syed Ali Hamadani in Srinagar.
MMU, which is led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, emphasized that the people of J&K should not allow any group to disrupt the “legacy of Kashmir’s unique identity and composition based on unity, sectarian harmony and brotherhood.” The people of Kashmir cannot afford such divisions and need to show restraint and patience, MMU said in a statement issued after an emergency meeting.
The controversy erupted after a group of Shia youth recited Nauha for Imam Hussain (AS) inside Khanqah-e-Maula on 12th Muharram. The event was flagged by former Mayor Junaid Azim Matuu on ‘X’ who demanded action by the Waqf Board.
“I’m the most vociferous supporter of Shia-Sunni unity and we are all proud Muhibaan-e-Ahle-Bayat but Azadaari inside Khanqah-e-Moula is unprecedented and could potentially disturb sectarian harmony”, Mattu said.
This prompted Waqf Board chairperson Darkhshan Andrabi to issue a statement announcing action against the youth. Not content with this an ultra conservative religious body ‘Mutahida Ulama-e-Ahle Sunnat’ declared that Khanqah’s sanctity has been violated and that the group will convene another meeting to decide on next course of action besides cleansing of the Khanqah.
MMU too lent its weight behind the demand for a probe saying that “it seems that this incident was a planned attempt to hurt the sentiments of the larger sect by some elements at work, which needs to be investigated.
“While it is the duty of the Waqf board to unearth the truth behind this incident as they are the custodians of the shrines and maintaining their sanctity is their duty, MMU has decided to form a committee consisting of responsible members from both sects to investigate and identify the elements involved,” it said in the statement.
MMU also expressed concern and condemnation over the remarks and comments made by some scholars, preachers, and speakers of both Sunni and Shia communities during various Ashura Muharram events, as well as remarks and comments during mourning processions regarding the Sahaba.
“Such remarks and actions cannot be tolerated and demand an inquiry, especially when all members of MMU from all sects are constantly making efforts to ensure unity and brotherhood among the followers of all sects while pursuing their respective practices,” it said, adding that the committee will also investigate this matter and identify who is responsible for this.
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