Srinagar, Jun 30 (KNO): Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr. Molvi Mohammad Umar Farooq on Tuesday said that if the United States and Iran can resume talks after a period of escalation, India and Pakistan should also embrace dialogue to resolve issues peacefully.
He also stressed the need for unity among Kashmir’s Muslims, urging all differences to be settled through goodwill and dialogue.
According to a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said Mirwaiz, while speaking to the media on the sidelines of an inauguration event at Residency Road, said, “Today, as we speak about global peace, I am pleased that efforts are underway to revive dialogue between the United States and Iran. Once again, talks between the two countries are expected to take place this week. We have always supported such efforts.”
He said it was in this context that he had remarked last Friday at Jama Masjid that if Iran and the United States could come to the negotiating table after an escalation, then India and Pakistan could also sit together and resolve issues through dialogue.
“In this spirit, I appealed to the leadership of India to embrace the path of dialogue, because wars do not resolve disputes. It is through dialogue that issues are addressed and resolved,” he said.
“People should understand the context in which I made these remarks. I believe that today our region holds immense potential. The Indian subcontinent possesses tremendous economic opportunities and abundant human resources. The entire region can move forward and prosper if only the leadership of the subcontinent demonstrates political vision and works towards improving mutual relations,” he added.
The spokesperson said Mirwaiz further stated, “I believe that friendship between India and Pakistan offers the best path toward resolving longstanding issues, including the Kashmir conflict. We hope that the leadership of India, Pakistan and Kashmir will support such efforts so that peace is strengthened and issues are resolved through peaceful means.”
Talking to the media, Mirwaiz also stressed unity among the Muslims of Kashmir. He said all members of the Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) were unanimous on the need to strengthen unity among all sects. He said that if any inter- or intra-sect misunderstanding arises, it should be resolved in good faith through dialogue, keeping the larger interest of Muslim unity in mind.
Mirwaiz stressed that it is only through unity that people can safeguard their identity and interests.—(KNO)