UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL
From
the last couple of years Kashmir valley is witnessing an unprecedented surge in
the religious activism, top ranked Islamic scholars belonging to different
school of jurisprudence are being invited time to time from outside the state
to deliver speeches here. The countless congregations are being held at both
rural and urban areas to commemorate the birthday of prophet (pbuh) in their
own way to exhibit loyalty and love have filled the air of valley with
religiousmania. This transcendentalism is certainly a welcome change because by
attending such gatherings and listen the thought provoking discourses on the
various issues is definitely going to help us to understand Islam in a better
way. However the way unknown brigade of clerics are beating the pulpit and
airing their views on such tricky issues where angels fear to tread are
actually pushing the valley into sectarianism and extremism. Their job was to
show a way and explain the traditions of prophet (pbuh), to the people, who
stood for tolerance, unity and discipline but most of the self-styled clerics
have been seen intentionally indulging in mudslinging with the opposite groups
on the trivial issues, which can trigger a sectarian clash anytime in the valley.
Traditionally Kashmir has been predominantly a Sunni majority state with a tiny
population of Shias and other non-Muslim population. The word "Sunni"
comes from the term Sunnah which refers to the sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad
(pbuh) that are recorded in hadiths. However there are two major groups with
different viewpoints and jurisprudence within the Sunni sect called Bareli or
traditionalist and Deavbhandi or Reformist. In the past it has never been an issue in the
valley whosoever is following which ideology but now it is making inroads in
our social fabric and shaking the bond of unity and tolerance.
Every
day we see huge billboards, hoardings on the roadsides, four ways reading the
manifesto of a group, introducing the panel of eminent clerics and urging
people to show their presence in our programme and demonstrate love, obedience
and faith towards the prophet (pbuh). The vehicles installed with loud speakers
and decorated with green flags and posters are being used to campaign and make
their congregation a grand successful. The followers in their typical traditional
attires are also being used for the door to door campaign to show their power
of strength and their sincerity towards the Islam. Thus there is a kind of
competition going on among various religious groups to show strength and spread
their version of didacticism in the society. It’s good and praiseworthy to
organize such congregations or to take out processions to mark the Islamic
events as long as it falls under the cannons of Sharia but if we start crossing
the drawn lines then it’s a seditious. Few years ago when the blood of innocent
of Kashmiri’s was spilled by the men in uniform, where were these reformists
and traditionalist? Why these non-Kashmiri clerics are making criminal silence,
when they are being asked to raise the voice against the grave human rights
violation in Kashmir in their respective states. But one fails to understand,
why the people again and again are getting easily hoodwinked and fooled by
these troublemaker groups without being rationale and studying, interpreting
the fundamentals of Islam by themselves. Now we reached a point, where some unknown
agencies in a systematic way are pushing Kashmir to become a battle ground for
such paid fanatics. Who have nothing to do with the teachings of Islam and
their primary aim seems to polarize our society on the sectarian lines which
never happened in our six hundred old Islamic history. Their provocative
literature and inflammatory speeches are acting like opium in the illiterate
minds, who blindly follow and believe in their gospels which are marred with
conservatisms and dogmas. It will be a huge tragedy for a nation which is up
against the oppression from the so many decades and have given relentless
sacrifices for their cause to end up in the sectarian standoff between the
people.
In
the backdrop of this religious fever a revered shrine of Dastageer sahib (RA)
at Khanyar in Srinagar went up to the flames mysteriously fuming anger and
grief across the valley. It was not only a shrine but it was also the symbol of
rich cultural heritage of Kashmir which was lost forever. As a nation we have never
been so serious about our rich heritage and cultural sites that’s why we are slowly
and gradually losing all these historical monuments. On the other hand the
state admisntration is not leaving any stone unturned to add fuel to the
burning by their unethical and provocative measures to keep the goddess of
peace in her shrine on the name of law and order situation. Although the cause
of fire is yet to be ascertained but the way administration and state
government is doing turtle dance is fair enough to give legitimacy to the suspicion
of people. The shrine stood for peace, integrity and unity in the valley but
this irreparable loss shattered the shrine of peace and plunged the whole
valley into a state of mourning. Thus it’s
quite important at this juncture for us to realize the significance of unity
and togetherness and not to pay any hey on rumors spread by the miscreants.
Someone may ask, why is it so important to unite? The answer is very simple:
Together we are strong! As one Ummah, we are a powerful force. This is
certainly what the enemies of Islam dread most. With unity, mutual cooperation
will materialize. With unity, love and affection will prevail in the society. It is a testing time for the administration as
well as to all the Islamic scholars to rise up to the occasion above the
ideologies and douse the fire of hatred and violence otherwise a spark
neglected can burn the whole house.
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