SRINAGAR: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr. Molvi Mohammad Umar Farooq on Tuesday clarified his recent remarks, stating that if the United States and Iran can come to the negotiating table after escalation, then India and Pakistan can also sit together and talk to resolve issues, and that wars do not resolve disputes—it is through dialogue that issues are addressed and resolved.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of an inauguration event at Residency Road, Mirwaiz 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.”
“It was in this context that last Friday at Jama Masjid I said that if Iran and the United States can come to the negotiating table, after escalation, then India and Pakistan can also sit together and talk to resolve issues. 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.
Mirwaiz emphasized that people should understand the context in which he 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 said.
He added 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,” Mirwaiz said.
Talking to the media, Mirwaiz further stressed unity among Muslims of Kashmir, stating that all members of the Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) are one on the important need of strengthening unity among all sects and between sects. He said that if at any time some inter or intra-sect misunderstanding develops, it should be resolved in good faith through talks, keeping the wider good of unity among Muslims in mind. Mirwaiz emphasised that it is only through unity that people can safeguard their identity and interests.