Srinagar: A two-minute silence was observed at the Friday gathering at the historic Jama Masjid here to mourn the recent killings of tourists in south Kashmir’s Pahalgam. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who delivered the Friday sermon, described the terror attack as “beyond belief” and “totally unacceptable”.
Mirwaiz, who was allowed to offer the Friday congregational prayers at the Jama Masjid in the downtown locality of the city after four weeks, also asked the government to allow him to visit those injured in the April 22 attack.
“The killings have pierced our hearts. We heard that these people were first asked about their religious identities and then murdered in front of their families. This is an act beyond belief,” Mirwaiz said in his address to the congregation.
Kashmir’s chief cleric and the people present in the mosque observed a two-minute silence before the prayers to express solidarity with the affected families.
Mirwaiz, who heads the moderate Hurriyat Conference, said the people of Jammu and Kashmir, irrespective of their religion, strongly condemn the killings.
“Who understands the pain of losing their own better than the people of Kashmir? Who can feel the pain of the loved ones of those killed more than us? The incident has made our hearts bleed,” he said.
Mirwaiz said the people of Kashmir share the grief of the affected families and stand with them.
“We pray to God to give them patience. We also pray for the speedy recovery of those injured,” he added.
Referring to several viral videos of locals helping tourists in the aftermath of the attack, Mirwaiz said Kashmiris have always opened their hearts and doors for their guests.
“Our hospitality is famous the world-over and once again, the Kashmiris continued their traditions. A ponywalla, Adil Hussain, sacrificed his life trying to save the lives of others. Kashmiris carried tourists on their shoulders.
“People of Jammu and Kashmir observed a complete shutdown and showed an example of solidarity and unity. They have sent a message that they oppose such cowardly acts and stand with the bereaved families,” he added.
Mirwaiz said the killings are not only condemnable but “totally unacceptable”.
He appealed to the government to allow him to visit the injured to enquire about their health.
“I should be allowed to visit the hospital to enquire about the injured, talk to them and to take the sentiments of the Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir to them. I should also be allowed to visit Adil Hussain’s residence to offer condolences,” he said.
Mirwaiz said it was unfortunate that a section of the media was spreading hatred by giving a communal colour to the situation, resulting in “targeting of Kashmiris” in many states of the country.
“Hundreds of students and businessmen are leaving those states. We appeal to the governments in other states of India to safeguard Kashmiris,” he said.
Earlier, Mirwaiz also condemned his house arrest, saying it was “painful not only for me but for all Muslims”.
“It is disappointing on the part of the government and we condemn it,” he said.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah criticised some electronic media houses, saying that they will never show that a two-minute silence was observed at the Jama Masjid to mourn the loss of lives in the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives.
Elsewhere also, people observed a minute’s silence in mosques during Friday congregations as a mark of respect to the 26 people killed in the Pahalgam attack.
During the Friday sermons, Imams and scholars in major mosques of the Valley condemned the April 22 attack and prayed for the injured.
The Imams termed the attack unacceptable and said the people of Kashmir share the grief of the affected families and stand with them.
Such acts are against humanity and Islamic teachings, they said.
At many places, people also held protests after the prayers, raised slogans against the attack and demanded that the perpetrators be punished.
Meanwhile, traders in the Lal Chowk city centre here hoisted black flags in front of their establishments as a mark of protest against the attack. (With inputs from PTI)
Pahalgam terror attack ‘act against humanity’: Darul Uloom Deoband
Prominent Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband on Friday termed the terrorist attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam an “act against humanity”.
Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani, the ‘mohtamim’ (manager) of Darul Uloom Deoband, demanded stringent action against those responsible for the attack in Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam on Tuesday, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists.
Stating that the attack posed a “grave threat to the unity and integrity of the country”, Nomani said, “Our condolences are with the families of the deceased, and we pray that those who were injured recover soon.”
Urging the Centre to treat the matter with utmost seriousness, Nomani emphasised the need for “strict action against the culprits so that such incidents do not recur in future”.
Describing the attack as an “act against humanity”, he highlighted the “barbarity of the terrorists” in targeting unarmed tourists.
“Darul Uloom shares the grief of the bereaved families,” he said.
Both factions of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind have also condemned the Pahalgam attack.
“Those who kill innocent people are not humans but beasts. There is no scope for terrorism in Islam,” Jamiat president Maulana Arshad Madani said.
Maulana Mahmood Madani, who heads the other faction of Jamiat, termed the incident an “inhuman act”.
“This incident cannot be linked to any religion, and those who are trying to link it to Islam are unaware of its true teachings,” he said.
Both the faction heads conveyed their condolences to the victims’ families, emphasising that “the purpose of such incidents is to spread fear and communalism, and everyone will have to unite to stop such attempts”.(PTI)
Pahalgam terrorists claim to be Muslims but their act utterly un-Islamic: Imam Bukhari
The terrorists of the Pahalgam attack claim to be Muslims but have acted in a manner that is utterly “un-Islamic”, Shahi Imam of historic Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari said in his address during Friday prayers.
People gathered for Friday prayers also staged a protest at the mosque’s stairs, raising slogans against terrorism and expressing their anger over the killing of 26 people, most of them tourists, at Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on Tuesday.
Citing the Quran, Bukhari said, “To kill one human being is as if to kill all of humanity, and to save one human being is as if to save all of humanity.”
Sanctity of human blood is such that taking the life of an innocent invites the “wrath” of Allah, he said addressing the people gathered at the mosque.
Terrorism can never be justified or supported on any grounds, he said in a statement.
“The terrorists, claiming to be Muslims, have displayed behaviour that is utterly un-Islamic. What kind of Islam have they learned or been taught?”
The “horrifying” incident in Pahalgam has shaken the “conscience” of India and stirred deep emotions within all the people, he said.
Killing innocent people on the basis of their religious identity is an “unforgivable crime”, Bukhari said.
“People were stripped to identify their religious affiliation, and on confirming they were Hindus, these helpless and innocent individuals were shot and killed.”
The Shahi Imam said that the Pahalgam incident has nothing to do with the teachings, history or culture of Islam.
“If such acts continue unchecked, it is hard to say where this will lead. India and its rich, traditional culture will never accept or allow such brutality under any circumstances,” he asserted.
Making an appeal for unity,he said this is not the time to divide the people into Hindus and Muslims but to stand together for the “honour, sovereignty, and dignity” of the nation.
Pointing that many countries in the world were entangled in war and violence, he said “sadly” even in our own country, religious hatred, sectarianism and erosion of trust between the communities have emerged as matters of concern.
Condoling the deaths in the terror attack, Bukhari said the fundamental qualities of the country — equality and peaceful coexistence — are its most distinguished virtues that set it apart in the world. (PTI)
