Srinagar’s Jama Masjid echoed with a strong plea for diplomacy Friday as Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, head of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference and chief cleric, addressed the West Asia turmoil. On April 10, post-Jumu’ah prayers, he rallied support for negotiations leading to equitable solutions, warning against the perils of endless warfare.
Eyes worldwide are on Islamabad, awaiting decisive steps toward regional harmony, Mirwaiz observed. He hoped US-Iran discussions would halt the agony in Palestine, Lebanon, and surrounding areas. Drawing from Kashmir’s painful history of strife, he remarked, ‘We’ve witnessed war’s devastation firsthand—no victors, only profound human costs in life and honor.’
He fiercely denounced Israel’s alleged role in Beirut killings, claiming such acts deepen the crisis and sabotage de-escalation. ‘Peace is impossible without resolving core Palestinian demands justly,’ Mirwaiz stressed. Force, he argued, offers no path to enduring calm; only genuine talks can.
In closing, Mirwaiz prayed for worldwide tranquility and urged abandoning conflict for unity. His intervention underscores Kashmir’s unique perspective on Middle East woes, potentially influencing broader peace advocacy.
