ibn sultan
Srinagar, July 13: Aga Syed Hasan Al Mosavi Al Safavi, J&K President of Anjuman Sharie Shian, stand united in our unwavering commitment to fostering brotherhood, harmony, and unity among all Muslims in Kashmir.”Our faith, rooted in the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Ahlul Bayt of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), calls upon us to be one Ummah, bound by the covenant of Allah to uphold justice, compassion, and solidarity (Quran 3:103). Today, we reiterate this divine call, emphasizing the critical need for Shia-Sunni unity in Kashmir to preserve our shared Islamic heritage and resist forces that seek to sow discord,” he said in a statement to KNS.”We draw inspiration from the fatwas issued by Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, whose guidance illuminates the path toward unity. On September 30, 2010, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei declared, “Disrespecting the pure wives of the Prophet should be avoided. The Prophet’s wives are all respectable…”He said no disrespect toward figures revered by Sunni Muslims is permissible. Similarly, Grand Ayatollah Sistani has emphasized, “Shiites should defend Sunnis’ social and political rights before defending their own,” reinforcing that mutual respect and defense of each other’s sanctity are paramount. These fatwas, rooted in Islamic principles, categorically prohibit any form of disrespect toward the Sahabah (Companions) or the wives of the Prophet (PBUH), declaring such acts as haram (forbidden).In Kashmir, where our shared history and struggles bind us, we condemn any attempts to disrupt the sacred bond of brotherhood between Shia and Sunni communities. Recent incidents involving controversial remarks or actions that hurt the sentiments of our Sunni brethren are not reflective of the true spirit of Islam or the ethos of our organizations. We reaffirm that such actions, as highlighted by Aga Syed Hasan, are individual in nature and not endorsed by any authorized Shia platform. We call upon all Muslims in Kashmir to reject divisive rhetoric and to uphold the teachings of unity exemplified by revered figures like Ayatollah Sarkar Aga Syed Mehdi Al Mosavi Al Safavi (RA) and Ayatollah Aga Syed Yousuf Al Mosavi AlSafavi (RA), who dedicated their lives to fostering Islamic brotherhood.
The enemies of Islam thrive on our division, exploiting sectarian differences to weaken our collective strength. As Imam Khomeini (R.A.) warned, “Those who provoke Sunni Muslims against the Shias and Shia Muslims against the Sunnis support neither Shias nor Sunnis.” We urge the people of Kashmir to remain vigilant against such divisive forces, which seek to undermine our unity for their own agendas. The Quran reminds us, “Be not among those who divided and differed among themselves after the clear proofs had come to them” (3:107). Let us hold fast to this divine guidance and strive together in good deeds, as Allah has commanded (Quran 5:48).We appeal to every Muslim in Kashmir—Shia, Sunni, and all who cherish the unity of the Ummah—to maintain brotherhood, promote dialogue, and resolve differences through mutual respect and understanding. Let us honor the legacy of our Prophet (PBUH) and the Ahlul Bayt by building bridges, not barriers, and by standing united under the banner of Tawheed. We call for increased interfaith and intra-faith dialogue, as exemplified by initiatives like the Anjuman Interfaith Dialogue Chapter, to foster harmony across all communities in Kashmir.”We solemnly pledge to avoid and take action against anyone found engaging in anti-Shia or anti-Sunni remarks, as such actions betray the spirit of Islam and the legacy of the Shia Leadership of Kashmir. Let Kashmir remain a beacon of Muslim unity, where our shared faith and love for the Prophet (PBUH) and Ahl Bayt (PBUT) guide us toward peace, dignity, and strength,” he said.”May Allah (SWT) guide us all to the straight path, grant us the wisdom to uphold unity, and protect our Ummah from disruption,” he added.(KNS)
