Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has said that the return of Kashmiri Pandits is a humanitarian issue and that the Muslim community in Kashmir is eager to see them return to their homes.
Speaking with Kashmir News Service (KNS), he said, “They will return to their homes and live peacefully with their Muslim brethren and again live in the same environment of love.” He made it clear that their return should not be politicized or linked to the broader Kashmir issue.
Mirwaiz, who has repeatedly called for the return of Kashmiri Pandits from the pulpit of Jamia Masjid, reiterated that the process of their return should be a collective effort. “The majority community will play its role in welcoming them, but they also have to minimize the differences,” he added.
He further revealed that he had met with Kashmiri Pandit delegations and discussed ways to facilitate their return, expressing his commitment to restoring trust and unity among the communities. “I had a long meeting with Kashmiri Pandits where we discussed how to move forward,” Mirwaiz said.
Currently, in Delhi, Mirwaiz has been engaging with Muslim leaders, intellectuals, and think tanks regarding issues impacting Muslims, including the Waqf Bill. He reiterated that the Kashmiri Muslim community remains steadfast in its commitment to a peaceful coexistence with the Pandits, as they once shared a harmonious life together.
