The Muslim community in Ladakh has welcomed the resolution of a long-standing dispute by supporting the allocation of land for a Buddhist monastery in Kargil, a predominantly Muslim region, according to a report by The Tribune on Monday.
After more than fifty years of contention, a significant “bhumi pujan” ceremony was held to mark the beginning of the monastery’s construction in Kurbathang, Kargil. The event was attended by various local social and political leaders, symbolizing a step towards unity and cooperation.
Ladakh’s Member of Parliament, Haji Hanifa Jan, expressed gratitude that the Buddhist community’s long-standing request for land had finally been granted. He emphasized that this act is a true testament to communal harmony in the region.
The ceremony saw notable Muslim leaders, including Mohd Jaffer Akhoon and Kacho Mohd Feroz from the Kargil Hill Council, joining their Buddhist counterparts. This gesture underscored a commitment to unity and mutual respect among the communities.
Mohd Jaffer Akhoon highlighted the importance of this development in fostering communal harmony and assured that initiatives for both Buddhist and Muslim communities would continue to progress without any hindrance.
The dispute, which originated from a 1969 governmental decision that altered construction permissions for the monastery, was resolved by the Kargil Hill Development Council in 2022 by allocating land in Kurbathang.
Activist Sajjad Kargili praised the local community for resolving the issue through dialogue and advocated for further cross-community support. He suggested that similar gestures, such as assisting in the construction of an Imam Bargah in Zanskar, allocating land for an Eidgah in Leh, and supporting the renovation of a mosque in Bodh Kharbu, would strengthen communal ties further.