KASHMIRIS HOPE FOR PEACE IN NEW HIJRI YEAR

         Srinagar, 1 Muharram 1435/5 November 2013 (MINA) – For many Kashmiri Muslims, the ultimate wish for the new hijri year was peace that has been absent from the volatile Indian administered district over the past twenty three years.

        “I wish to see my Kashmir peaceful again as it was before 1990,” Nisar Ahmad Mir, a business man of South Kashmir, told OnIslam.net.

         “I still remember the days when we used to visit markets, gardens without fear and children’s play till late evenings,” according to Onislam.net report quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).

          Kashmir is divided into two parts and ruled by India and Pakistan, which have fought two of their three wars since the 1947 independence over the region.

         Pakistan and the UN back the right of the Kashmir people for self-determination, an option opposed by New Delhi.

         In the past years, the Himalayan region has been rocked by unabated demonstrations against the Indian rule.

         More than 60,000 people have been killed since Kashmiris took up arms against the Indian rule in 1989.

           Over the twenty three years ago, Mir said that Kashmir has lost so many young people.

          After all these years of troubles, peace was the only hope that could bring happiness again, he added.

          “May Almighty Allah bless us (Kashmir’s) with peace and prosperity,” Mir added.

           Seeing hijra, Prophet Muhammad’s immigration to Madinah, as a turning point in the Muslim history, young generation in Kashmir is of firm belief that New Hijri year will bring peace in Kashmir and previous bleeding years will get transformed into happiness.

         “Being a Muslim I have firm belief that Kashmir will get freedom one day, but at the same time peace is must for the said resolution,” Mohd Imran said.

          Ahead of new Hijri year, young Muslims have started preparations for celebrating the event.

         “We are entering into new year with all hopes that Kashmir will again see the peace and prosperity,” Mukthiar Ahmad Wani added.

         Nusrat, a college student, added that Muslims should get lesions from the Hijrah of Prophet Muhammad SW (peace be upon him) and fight for their rights.

          “I will try to scan my past year’s doings and will purify myself in next year”, she told OnIslam.net.

          “For Kashmir Muslims, Hijrah is best guide and we all must follow it in the same sprit as Prophet Muhammad SW has told and taught us,” she added.

Deferred Dreams

          For some Kashmiri Muslims, the new hijri year was a chance to fulfill their dreams.

          “Inshallah new Hijri year will be year of success for me,” Mudasir Afzal, a college student who wants to spend more time to prepare for next year’s medical entrance test, told OnIslam.net.

          “I am preparing for medical entrance test as I want to become a doctor and serve humanity in general,” he added.

          He said after completion of MBBS degree, he want to do specialization in cancer as Kashmir has maximum number of cancer patients.

           Mohd Ismail of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district said that he plans to change his business from selling electric items to open an Islamic bookshop in the district.

           “A least this business will be of some help to me in understanding Islam the greatest religion of the world as during the last twenty years I could not do much for Islam and selling Islamic books will definitely change my life as a Muslim”, Ismail said.

           For others, the new Hijri was a chance to get closer to Allah.

          Zaina Begum of south Kashmir’s Sadiwara village who got her dream fulfilled by performing Hajj this year and now wants to devote herself for Islam and pledges to spend more time for prayers (ibadat) only.

          “I am thankful to God who got my Hajj dream true this year and now next Hijri I proposes to spend maximum time for Ibadat only besides serving humanity” Zaina told Onislam.net

           She added, “I have prayed for peace in the Kashmir region and Muslim world too.”

           Yet, for some Kashmiri, Hijri years pass painfully without their disappeared family members.

           “New means new nothing other than return of my son would be a new thing for me,” Zarifa Begum, who could not see his missing son since he disappeared, said.

           “I hope this New Hijri year will bring a quite new smile on my face,” Zarifa told Onislam.net, adding “when you hope for something Allah bless you more than that.”

Muslim Prosperity

           Ahead of new Hijri year, young Muslims have started preparations for celebrating the event.

           “We are entering into new year with all hopes that Kashmir will again see the peace and prosperity,” Mukthiar Ahmad Wani, said.

           Molvi Imran Ahmad said special seminars on Hijrah will be organized during the first 10 days of Muharram.

           “Muslims around the world are facing lot of problems and I pray for the peace and prosperity for the Muslim nations including Kashmir,” he said, adding we must mould our lives according to the life of Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him).

            Mohd Rafiq Beig a secondary school lecturer told Onislam.net, agreed.

            “We must change our life standard according to the life of Profit Mohammad (Peace be upon him),” he said.

           “Muslims should be of firm belief that ALLAH is watching them if they can’t watch him”.

           Mufti Naseer-ul-Islam added that Hijrah gives Muslims a ray of hope for what they planned for the next year.

          “The occasion has an importance in Islam and Muslims pledge to change their life standard,” he said. (T/P013/E1)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)