Srinagar- Kashmir’s top Muslim clergy, on Monday said they will not allow attempts to spread sectarian discord that can destroy peace and harmony in Jammu and Kashmir.
Clergy met at the residence of Mirwaiz Umer Farooq under the auspices of The Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU), and later addressed the press.
Ulema expressed a collective resolve to counter any attempts to disrupt the sectarian harmony. The religious leaders called for preserving the historic unity and harmony among different sects in Kashmir.
The meeting presided over by MMU head Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was attended by Maulana Rahmatullah Qasimi, Agha Syed Hassan al-Moosvi al-Safawi, Grand Mufti of Kashmir Mufti Nasir ul-Islam Farooqi, Maulana Masroor Abbas Ansari, Dr Abdul Latif al-Kindi, Maulana Ghulam Rasool Hami, Agha Syed Mohammad Hadi al-Moosvi, and Maulana Shaukat Hussain Keng and M S Rehman Shams.
Speaking on the occasion Mirwaiz Farooq said: “Our primary focus is on maintaining unity and traditional sectarian harmony. We will strive to represent every sect and uphold a unified stance,” he said.
“We cannot tolerate any actions or statements that lead to discord within our community,” Mirwaiz said. “We have resolved that no future divisive statements will be permitted. Should any such statements emerge, we will collectively take action and make sure the perpetrators are held accountable.”
The MMU has also called for upholding the importance of Islamic principles in promoting unity among different sects.
“All sects, whether Shia, Sunni, Ahle-Hadees or Barelvi must stand united on the foundation of Islamic principles,” Mirwaiz Umar said.
Meanwhile, the MMU in a press release issued after the meeting expressed its “firm resolve to disallow any attempts to spread sectarian discord in Kashmir and harm to the region’s traditional sectarian harmony”.
The Majlis has appealed to scholars, masjid imams and those active on social media, belonging to various schools of thought and sects that while each is free to follow its practices they should refrain from targeting the beliefs of other sects in third lectures sermons, addresses or discussions on social media or any other platform, thereby causing conflict.
“Since all Muslims share the common religion and its goals, it is detrimental to the entire ummah when minor differences are made into contentious matters by some to advance narrow sectarian objectives at the expense of the broader interests of the Muslim community in Kashmir.”
MMU made it clear that it will not tolerate provocations, sectarian discord or the denigration of each other’s beliefs. “As a responsible and robust forum of the Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir, the Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulama will confront these elements with full force and hold them accountable in the public domain.”
The meeting emphasised that the issues and challenges faced by the Muslim community at various levels can only be overcome by uniting under the banner of Tawheed (monotheism). It condemned recent efforts by certain groups to incite sectarian discord, calling these actions regretful and reprehensible.
The scholars present at the meeting vowed, “The religious personalities of Islam should be respected by all and since all Muslims share the common religion and its goals, it is detrimental to the entire Ummah when minor differences are made into contentious matters by some to advance narrow sectarian objectives at the expense of the broader interests of the Muslim community in Kashmir.”
The MMU said it will not tolerate provocations, sectarian discord or the denigration of each other’s beliefs. “As a responsible and robust forum of the Muslims of Jammu & Kashmir, the Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulama will confront these elements with full force and hold them accountable in the public domain,” it asserted.
CLARIFICATION
Kashmir Observer carried a news item under the headline “MMU Calls For Unity, Peace Amid Sectarian Tensions In Kashmir” on July 21, 2024 in which it was mentioned that Mutahida Ulama-e-Ahli Sunnat is led by Maulana Abdul Rasheed Dawoodi. Mutahida has clarified that Maulana Dawoodi is only its member and the group is not led by him. KO stands corrected and regrets the inadvertent error. -Editor
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 | |
