RK News Service
Srinagar, June 4: Chairperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board Syed Darakhshan Andrabi on Thursday said that Sufism remains the soul of Kashmir and asserted that Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a new era of communal harmony, inclusivity and peace.
Addressing the Interfaith Conference “Reshiwaer” at SKICC Srinagar, Dr Andrabi said the Union Territory has emerged from a difficult phase of its history and is moving towards greater social cohesion and mutual understanding among communities.
“Sufism is the soul of Kashmir,” she said, adding that efforts have been made to rebuild trust and strengthen bonds among different communities.
Dr Andrabi said Jammu and Kashmir has overcome a challenging period and is now progressing towards peace and stability.
“J&K is rewriting itself through communal harmony & Peace. We are seeing a new dawn here. Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims & all other communities have built a bond of mutual love & sharing. We are now enthusiastically and heartily celebrating interfaith harmony. Such gatherings let people speak, inspire youth, and mark a future they lacked for 35 years,” she said.
The Waqf Board Chairperson said Kashmir, often referred to as the land of saints and Sufis, is gradually reclaiming its rich spiritual and cultural legacy.
She maintained that ideologies based on hatred, division and violence have no place in present-day Jammu and Kashmir and stressed the importance of fostering coexistence and mutual respect.
Dr Andrabi further said that the youth of the Union Territory aspire for lasting peace and are increasingly embracing values of inclusivity and harmony.
Appealing to educated youth, she urged them to promote the message of love, communal harmony and peaceful coexistence.
She said these values reflect both the spirit of Kashmir’s Sufi-Rishi traditions and the principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution.