A Moment of Mourning and Unity: The Response of Indian Muslims to the Kashmir Terror Attack
By Kaniz Fatma, New Age Islam
24 April 2025
In A Dignified Gesture, The All India Muslim Personal Law Board Pauses Its Protest Campaign To Express Solidarity With Victims Of The Pahalgam Terror Attack, Reflecting The Broader Indian Muslim Commitment To Peace And Justice.
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Jammu & Kashmir, Apr 22 (ANI): People take part in a candle march over the Pahalgam terrorist attack, on Tuesday. (ANI Photo)
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In the wake of the tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where nearly 28 people lost their lives and more than 20 were seriously injured, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) took a commendable and empathetic step by temporarily halting its ongoing protest programs. This decision was made to express solidarity with the victims and their grieving families, sending a strong message of national unity and human compassion.
Dr. Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, the National Convener of the "Majlis-e-Amal for the Protection of Waqf Properties," announced that the Board had decided to suspend its protest against the controversial amendments to the Waqf Act for three days as a mark of respect for the victims. In his statement, he emphasized that the incident was "extremely tragic and condemnable" and called on state and district-level conveners to immediately pause all scheduled programs. The campaign, he noted, would resume after the mourning period.
This gesture signifies a mature and humane approach by a prominent Muslim organization, reflecting the broader sentiment within the Indian Muslim community. It also reinforces the idea that issues such as the Waqf Bill are internal matters of the community, being pursued legally through the Supreme Court, where justice is expected to prevail without infringing on anyone’s rights.
Unity in Diversity: The Essence of India’s Pluralism
India’s strength has always been its rich pluralistic fabric—what is often referred to as the "Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb"—a blend of diverse cultures, faiths, and traditions coexisting in mutual respect. The response to this terror attack from all sections of society is a testament to that ethos. Muslims and Hindus alike condemned the attack. In various cities, Muslims organized candlelight vigils and peace marches, while many Hindus echoed similar sentiments, standing in solidarity with the victims.
This is the true spirit of India, where peace-loving citizens, regardless of their religion, come together to denounce violence and advocate for justice.
Pahalgam terror attack. Photo | PTI
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Rejecting Sectarian Narratives in Times of Tragedy
Unfortunately, some individuals and groups attempted to use this tragic moment to resurface past communal incidents, such as lynching or the killing of Muslims by rogue individuals like the Railway Protection Force officer who murdered three Muslim men and a Hindu colleague on a train while invoking political slogans. These isolated events, while horrific and deserving of justice, should not be used to create false equivalences or to deflect from current tragedies.
When a tragedy occurs, whether the victims are Muslims, Hindus, or from any other community, it is a test of our collective conscience. At such times, empathy should override ego, and unity should trump political opportunism.
A Call for a Just and Collective Response
What is expected from responsible citizens, especially during national tragedies, is a united front against violence. Rather than allowing ourselves to be trapped in cycles of blame or to politicize grief, we must emulate the conduct of those who place justice and humanity above narrow identity politics. The Muslim condemnation of the Kashmir attack and the temporary suspension of the Waqf protest is a moral gesture that should be acknowledged and appreciated across the board.
This moment reminds us that peace and coexistence are not mere slogans; they require constant reaffirmation, especially during moments of national crisis. Whether the victim is Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, or Christian, the pain is the same, and so should be the response: dignified, just, and united.
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Kaniz Fatma is a classic Islamic scholar and a regular columnist for New Age Islam
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/current-affairs/mourning-unity-indian-muslims-kashmir-terror/d/135292
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