Meer Irfan
Amid the heated online debate between factions of Sunni-Shia youth, prominent clerics from the Kashmir valley have asked the public to desist from targeting the practices and beliefs of fellow Muslims.
The debate initially flared up online among a few anonymous individuals from both communities. Over time, the hostility spread rapidly, both online and offline. Such heated arguments have been recurring issues due to longstanding historical differences and are very common during Muharram.
Significant progress has been made in recent years with efforts by youth from both Shia and Sunni communities, guided by religious clerics, to foster dialogue and understanding. However, this year, comments from a social media influencer have intensified emotions on both sides.
A video from Srinagar’s Khanqah-e-Moula recently went viral, leading to a prominent politician calling for action against the recitation of a Manqabat dedicated to Hazrat Hussain and Ali, a longstanding practice at the Khanqah.
Mutahida Ulema Ahli Sunnat, a coalition of major religious organizations in Kashmir, had called for “cleansing” at the Khanqah. This call led to varied responses within the coalition itself.
Sources within the organization told The Kashmiriyat that a statement calling for the purification of the Khanqah had been issued by an individual member. However, this statement has since been withdrawn. Sunni Muslims, they emphasized, do not support such radical views. “We follow the teachings of Sufis, who have always preached tolerance. Khanqahs are open to all, regardless of race, color, belief, or ethnicity. We reject any form of untouchability. The statement, made by an individual, could have jeopardized peace, and the organization has since clarified its stance both collectively and individually,” they stated.
Moulana Ghulam Rasool Hami, a prominent Sunni cleric, released a video statement urging peace between the two communities. “How can we possibly engage in conflict in a land where Shias are mourning and Sunnis are providing water for them?” Hami asked.
He emphasized the need for sensible individuals from both communities to step forward and identify those attempting to incite discord in Kashmir. “There are forces trying to stoke sectarian tensions in Kashmir, but we will do our utmost to prevent this from happening,” the cleric declared in a statement watched by millions of people online.
Immediately following Hami’s statement, Moulana Masroor Ansari of Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen also called for peace between the communities. “The slogans we hear against Shias and Sunnis are not from Kashmir; they are infiltrated from outside. Kashmiris have always lived in harmony. While we may have disagreements, we share the same pillars of Islam, the same God, and the same prophets who taught us unity. We will not allow sectarian divisions to take root in Kashmir,” Ansari said.
Aga Hadi Kashmiri, another renowned Shia cleric called for the defusing of anger between the two sides.
Syed Zahid Hussain, an Anantnag based cleric, who issued an online video, watched by lakhs of people detailed the historical context of the issues and said the “minor’ differences cannot lead to such massive tussles. He said that no single group in Kashmir has monopoly over Shah e Hamdan, his literature, his work, his places.
“Shah e Hamdan came to remove the caste discrimination when temples had to undergo necessary cleansing after the visits of lower castes including Dalits, but Shah e Hamdan removed this system and brought in the system of fairness, equality and justice. It was unfortunate that some Muslims even felt that they could justify this,” Zahid said in the video.
Meanwhile in another statement, Mutahida Ulema Ahli Sunnat said that the former statement was issued by the publicity secretary without consultation. “While it may represent an individual’s personal opinion, it does not reflect the stance of Mutahida. However, Mutahida urges the relevant authorities to take formal action against those who disturbed peace at Khanqah-e-Moula, in order to maintain law and order,” read the statement.