Srinagar, May 16 (KNO): Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir, Molvi Umar Farooq on Friday hoped that the ceasefire between India and Pakistan becomes permanent and that the people of Kashmir want peace, not war.
Addressing congregational Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid, Mirwaiz, as per a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), expressed condolences and sympathies with the families who lost their beloved in the cross border shelling.
“In the last few days we have gone through another harrowing experience that this festering conflict ignited, hours close to an all-out war between two nuclear countries. Even the ‘limited escalation’ was enough to destroy the lives of those living along and across the LOC in J&K. Dozens of precious lives lost, homes and livelihood destroyed. The image of the smiling twins, the 12-year-old Zain and Urwa, will continue to haunt us. How their mother is coping with it while their father is battling for life in the hospital, tears the heart. The pain runs deep," Mirwaiz said.
"From afar for the world, Kashmir is a nuclear flashpoint which can explode anytime. For India and Pakistan it is a territorial issue, but for the people of J&K living the reality of this conflict daily, it is a bleeding wound that refuses to heal. How long are we going to suffer and live in fear and uncertainty? While everyone is talking ABOUT Kashmir, no one is talking TO Kashmir—to its people, those who live here. What do we want for us, our dreams for our future generations, our yearning for peace? Will our wounds ever heal? Will this conflict ever be resolved?"
"With each such episode the problem gets more difficult. Military brinkmanship only leads to disaster, as we know and just saw, and to more arms sales—never to peace. But do India and Pakistan want peace, or one-upmanship, people of Kashmir wonder. For people of Jammu and Kashmir, we want peace, not war. We want resolution, not continuation of the conflict. It is our earnest hope that the ceasefire just announced by the DGMOs of both sides till the 18th of this month becomes permanent. One wonders: if the DGMOs of both sides can talk and reach an agreement, what is preventing India and Pakistan leadership from doing so? But stating the obvious is considered anti-national in present times," he said.
"My condolences and sympathies with all the bereaved families who lost their loved ones to the senseless escalation of the conflict. No words can compensate their loss. For the injured, we pray for their quick recovery. appeal to all people to reach out and help the affected families of LoC whose homes and livelihood were destroyed. In our small way Dar-ul-Khair Mirwaiz Manzil is also reaching out to the affected families whose homes were destroyed with whatever relief and help we can offer. Let us hope the concerned authorities will provide them with all assistance to rebuild their lives. Living on the LOC, these people are the worst affected and always in danger of peril. I would also like to mention that regarding the ban on JK Awami Action Committee, we are contesting its justification in our own manner, without engaging with the process, as we do not wish to dignify the allegations made against the leadership or the party. The details will soon be shared with you,' he added—(KNO)