ibn sultan
Srinagar, July 6: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr. Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq on Monday said that Kashmir’s history did not begin in 2019, asserting that the region has a 5,000-year-old civilisational legacy that cannot be selectively interpreted or erased.
Speaking to the media after inaugurating an educational consultancy initiative at Lal Chowk, the Mirwaiz said Kashmir’s rich heritage spans the Buddhist, Shaivite, Hindu and Islamic periods, while its post-1947 political history is also an integral part of its identity. He said societies progress through openness, dialogue and the free exchange of ideas, not through bans on books or suppression of differing perspectives.
On the Amarnath Yatra, the Mirwaiz described it as a religious pilgrimage and said Kashmiris have always respected the religious sentiments of all communities. He stressed that the administration must ensure the safety and proper facilities for pilgrims while minimising disruption to the daily lives of local residents and protecting Kashmir’s fragile environment.
Commenting on India-Pakistan relations, the Mirwaiz reiterated that dialogue remains the only viable path to peace. He called for the revival of engagement between New Delhi and Islamabad, as well as between New Delhi and Srinagar, saying meaningful dialogue is essential for lasting peace, dignity and a just resolution of the Kashmir issue.
