SRINAGAR: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Molvi Mohammad Umar Farooq on Friday called for renewed dialogue between India and Pakistan, saying diplomacy and engagement remain the most reliable means of resolving disputes and ensuring lasting peace in South Asia.
Addressing the Friday congregation at Srinagar’s Jama Masjid on the occasion of Youm-e-Ashoora, Mirwaiz said the tragedy of Karbala continues to offer timeless lessons in truth, justice, patience and sacrifice.
Drawing parallels between the message of Karbala and contemporary conflicts, he said Imam Hussain (RA) stood for truth and dialogue rather than confrontation, and that history had demonstrated the limits of oppression and violence.
Referring to recent developments in West Asia, Mirwaiz said the confrontation involving the United States, Israel and Iran had once again shown that military force, despite its destructive capacity, could not provide durable solutions.
“Wars can alter circumstances and inflict immense suffering, but lasting peace ultimately requires dialogue, negotiation and statesmanship,” he said, adding that the eventual return of adversaries to the negotiating table underscored the limitations of military action. He also appreciated the efforts of regional and international actors, including Pakistan and Qatar, in facilitating conditions conducive to dialogue.
Turning to South Asia, Mirwaiz said India and Pakistan, home to nearly one-fourth of the world’s population, carried a special responsibility to pursue peace and cooperation. He said decades of political tensions and unresolved issues had prevented the region from realising its economic and human potential while imposing social and psychological costs on its people.
Recalling the legacy of his father, Mirwaiz Molvi Farooq, who was assassinated in 1990, he said he had inherited not only the office of the Mirwaiz but also a commitment to resolving issues through dialogue rather than violence.
He said that through the Awami Action Committee and later the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, he had consistently advocated engagement between India and Pakistan over the past 36 years despite facing challenges.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mirwaiz said he was among the longest-serving leaders in independent India and recalled that, at the beginning of his tenure, Modi had expressed support for regional cooperation and improving ties with neighbouring countries.
He also recalled interacting with former Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Dr Manmohan Singh, as well as former Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, saying those engagements demonstrated the value of dialogue in reducing mistrust and creating opportunities for progress despite differences.
Expressing hope that such engagement could be revived, Mirwaiz said, “Peace may be difficult. Dialogue may be slow. Diplomacy may demand patience. Yet these remain the most reliable instruments for resolving issues and securing a better future.”
He concluded by urging political leadership in the region to pursue dialogue and statesmanship in the interest of lasting peace and stability.
