Sufi Hidayah
Kashmir, as seen through the lens of Indian media and mainstream cinema, is often reduced to a land of turmoil, where minorities live in fear. The dominant narrative paints it as inherently divisive, a region where religious coexistence is impossible.
But beyond these curated portrayals, there are places like Trehgam in Kupwara that tell a different story—one of harmony, shared heritage, and a refusal to be divided by politics.
Located 7 km from Kupwara town, Trehgam is home to an ancient Shiv Mandir, a grand Jamia Masjid, and the revered shrine of Sufi saint Syed Ibrahim Bukhari (RA). These places of worship stand side by side, reflecting a history where faiths coexisted without the divisions that political forces now seek to impose.
“They chant Ram Ram, and we call upon Allah; it has never been an issue for us,” says Molvi Rashid Sahab, the Imam of the Jamia Masjid.
“We celebrate Eid and Diwali together. I had many Hindu friends growing up—we played, ate, and worked side by side,” recalls a local resident.
But such stories rarely make it to national screens, where Kashmir is either shown as a battleground or a place where minorities are under siege.
Trehgam’s reality makes one question why this harmony is ignored in favor of conflict-driven narratives. Over the years, identities have been politicized—green is equated with Muslims, saffron with Hindus—deepening divisions that serve electoral interests.
Even something as simple as the color of snack packaging or the presence of a Muslim in a Hindu neighborhood becomes a subject of controversy.
The fact that mosques need to be covered during Holi to prevent provocations is a stark reminder of how religious identities have been turned into fault lines.
Yet, Trehgam stands as a counterpoint to this manufactured discord. It is proof that communities can live together when left untouched by divisive politics.
As the rest of the country wrestles with growing polarization, this village offers a lesson: beyond the narratives, beyond the headlines, coexistence is not just possible—it is real.
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