Head of All India Imam Organisation(AIIO), Dr. Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, has said that Pakistan-Occupied Jammu Kashmir(POJK) would `very soon’ be re-integrated with India. “I want to say one thing to our neighbouring country from standing here in Kashmir that POJK, which is an integral part of India, will definitely rejoin India because the people of POJK want to have a referendum there”, Ilyasi told reporters in Srinagar on April 3, Friday.
The All India Imam Organisation (AIMO) is the largest and oldest Imam organization in the world. It is the representative body of half a million Imams in India, who serve as the religious and spiritual guides for 210 million Indian Muslims. The imams of mosques and madrasas all over the country are covered by this organisation. AIIO is recognized in that capacity and role both at the national and international level. This is the largest Imam Organisation in the world and is so uniquely placed that prominent national and global bodies belonging to all walks of life utilise its services.
Dr. Ilyasi claimed that the residents of POJK are keen to re-integrate with India, citing the development and prosperity witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir. “God willing, their ‘Ghar Wapsi’ will take place soon. It is the people there who want it. They are happy to see the development of Kashmir. Seeing how Kashmir is progressing today, POJK will be rejoined with India very soon”, he added.
The head of Imams’ body said he was very happy to see a “transformed” Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. He said J&K has made tremendous strides in all spheres of development. Many of the ills that plagued the society earlier have vanished from public life, separatism and secessionism being foremost. “It has become a new Kashmir. Today’s Kashmir has become excellent. There is prosperity throughout and tourism has increased. The people here are prosperous. There was a time when young people and children here used to throw stones. Today, they have pens in their hands. They are studying”, he said.
Referring to last year’s terror attack in Baisaran meadows in Pahlagam that left 25 tourists and a local pony handler dead, Dr. Ilyasi said tourism had briefly declined after the incident but urged people to visit the region. The terrorist attack had harmed the Kashmiris immensely as the tourists stayed away from the Valley and cancelled their hotel bookings. “I want to tell everyone that they should visit Kashmir as there is no atmosphere of fear now”, he added. Tourism was a major source of employment generation in the Union Territory(UT) of J&K.
On the conflict in West Asia, he said war benefits no one and expressed hope for peace. “Wars harm everyone, they are a sign of destruction. I have hope from our country’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and God willing, he will mediate and the war will end soon”, he said. Dr. Ilyasi was accompanied by J&K Waqf Board Chairperson, Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi.
He lauded the functioning of the J&K Waqf Board under Dr Andrabi. Dr. Andrabi informed Dr. Ilyasi that J&K Waqf Board is the first in India to streamline the monthly remuneration to Imams & Khateebs. After changing it into regular salaries, the remuneration has also been increased manifold. This has been done as the Waqf Board believes that their responsibilities are very important in leading not only the collective prayers. The Imams and Khateebs also help in inculcating positivity and compassion among the people following them.
Dr. Ilyasi apprecited the reformative decisions of Dr. Andrabi for making J&K Waqf Board a true success story. Prominent Imams and Khateebs of Waqf Board and the Executive Magistrate of the Board Ishtiyaq Mohiuddin was also present.
