(Mirwaiz Umar Farooq )
Tahir Syeed
When devotees and religious aficionados where busy seeking the blessing and mercy from God and praying for peace and tranquility inside the historical Jamia Masjid Srinagar, the same time some unscrupulous and devious elements were busy lynching a police officer who was there on duty to ensure the safety of the same devotees. The shocking and appalling thing was that when this lynching took place, Hurriyat Leader and Mirwaz Umar Farooq was addressing people.
Jamia Masjid, this historical religious place, has always been used as the political podium by the Mirwaz family. That is why, Jamia Masjid is synonymously used to describe the politics of Mirwaiz. Being the religious and the poster politician of this small city corner, the downtown, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, undoubtedly, enjoys a twofold responsibility. However, the question lurking in minds of people is whether Mirwaiz is properly fulfilling his duties or is creating confusion among the masses with his dubious ideas. Being a native of Kashmir, I dare ask few questions to Mr. Mirwaiz with the hope that he will respond to the masses of Kashmir.
Mirwaiz Umar sahib, you enjoy the religious and political influence in the old city of Srinagar but have you ever thought about the welfare, prosperity and development of the citizens of these areas. Have you ever tried to resolve the day to day problems your neighbours are encountering? Mr. Mirwaiz, it is perhaps your politics which has pushed a common man to the wall. He does not seem to recover from the morass he is trapped in.
People of downtown not only share religious sentiment with you but you also claim to represent their political aspirations. For them you are a religious and political leader but have you ever tried to suitably guide them. You might know it very well that how your own people have conspired against you to question your hackneyed politics and even tried to reduce your public communication.
Mr Mirwaiz you know it very well how since long stone pelting has become a norm outside the same Jamia Masjid you are claiming to be the sole custodian .Before your Friday sermon youngsters assemble outside the masjid and pelt stones on security forces and compel local businessmen to shut down their businesses, why are they doing all this and for what, you must have thought about it and if not then you should.
I have read your statements on civilian killings but have never read or heard anything from you about the violence perpetuated by these youngsters inside your political den .Neither have you ever condemned these uncivilised forms of protests.
When a DySP who was on duty to ensure your and devotees safety was lynched, you were prewashing peace inside the Masjid .I wonder what were you preaching there that just outside the Masjid a Kashmiri Police officer was beaten to death by his fellow Kashmiris. Mirwaiz sahib, you were respected for your nonviolent ideas but how can you allow your followers to resort stone pelting and hoist ISIS flags .Don’t you think that it can have direct impact on your religious and political ideology.
Dear Mirwaiz ,the form of violence you have embraced today has not even spread your own family .You lost your dear father Late Mirwaiz Moulvi Farooq Sahib and your uncle Molvi Mushtaq sahib , was killed inside the masjid. Your fathers killing puts religious and political burden on your shoulders when even you were not ready for the same.
Despite being yourself victim of this sense less violence, you have not only utterly failed in controlling this violence but you have been wittingly and unwittingly provoking people around your colony for more violence .It is difficult for us to overlook the gruesome murder of your follower and neighbour Tariq Ahmed who got killed for objecting the senseless culture of violence from downtown. Neither you condemned nor did you try to make your followers understand the negative impact of this violence on our political and social fabric .Don’t you think that you have failed in both your political and religious matters?
May Allah bless Mirwaiz Rusul shah sahib’s soul for imparting education and contributing to the initial phase of enlightenment in Kashmir . But last year when schools were burnt down you apparently encouraged the trend of destroying the old heritage of knowledge seeking .
For not participating in democratically held election in Kashmir, you directly disempower your poor follower who then becomes the victim of mis- governance and faces other forms of economic oppression. No doubt because of your politics, some people and mainstream politicians are indirectly benefitted but people at large suffer because of this.
Your image as a moderate and forward looking leader is a hope for the people who want to live their lives peacefully. It is expected from you that you will work towards building bridges of bonhomie and progress among the people and communities
The violence has not helped Kashmir in any way ,and those who really care for this beautiful place must come together and defeat the forces who are against it .May you live long .
30/06/2017
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