Sayima Ahmad
As Eid al-Fitr and Nowruz converge on the same day, creating a rare and significant cultural alignment that merges a lunar-based festival with a solar-based new year, Kashmir is witnessing an unusual shift in how the festivals are being marked. Across districts of the valley, including Srinagar and Budgam, locals across sects and identities are choosing solidarity over celebration, redirecting traditional Eidi into large-scale contributions for war-torn Iran amid the escalating aggression involving Israel and its historic ally, the United States, which has left the Middle East in a major crisis.
Residents, including politicians, farmers, and traders, have launched a humanitarian drive to support the Islamic Republic of Iran and its affected citizens. The campaign was initiated a week ago; however, the call gained momentum following the Eid al Fitr prayer, when volunteers announced a donation drive at religious institutions, including Eidgahs and mosques.
A wave of unprecedented donations
After the call, volunteers in every locality, especially Shia-dominated areas, organised door-to-door collections to gather relief. Contributions poured in from all walks of life, and people in large numbers, including men, women, and children, came forward and contributed money, gold and silver jewellery, livestock, traditional copper items, vehicles, and other savings, with local reports suggesting that collections have surpassed 500 crore rupees in just a week, blending faith with global empathy in a region attuned to distant upheavals.
A series of videos surfaced across social media platforms, showing heartrending visuals of people of all ages donating their earnings and whatever they have in their hands. One footage shows an elderly woman enthusiastically walking towards a donation collection box and handing over a gold memento that has been preserved for nearly 28 years in her late husband’s memory. Some children are seen in a queue offering their penny boxes, years of saving, and Eid money.
In another instance, a young man from Ganderbal district has put his Royal Enfield motorcycle up for sale, saying the proceeds will go to Iran. “It was my dream to travel there on this bike,” he says, his voice unsteady. “But right now, this is more important.” In a separate instance, a resident sold his SUV for the same purpose.
MLA Budgam donates one Month’s Salary for Iran
The campaign has also drawn political backing. Budgam MLA Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi has announced that he will donate one month’s salary towards the relief effort, calling for broader public participation. “Humanity must come before everything,” he said in a post on X.
In an X post, Mehdi expressed hope that collective global efforts will bring relief, stability, and a path towards lasting peace for the people affected by Israeli and US military strikes in Iran. He also urged the public to come forward and contribute towards humanitarian causes. “I stand in solidarity with the people of Iran in this difficult time. As a small gesture of support, I am donating my one month’s salary towards relief efforts. Humanity must come before everything”, he wrote on X.
Cautions on donations
According to the reports, the donations have been either transferred directly to the accounts shared by the Iranian embassy in India on social media, while urging public support for the country.
As contributions continue to pour in, officials and community leaders have issued cautionary advisories, urging people to donate only through verified channels, including accounts linked to the Iranian Embassy or recognised relief organisations, to prevent misuse. “The collected contributions are expected to be channelled through official relief organisations, including the Iranian Embassy, to ensure they reach those in need”, officials said.
Echoes of prior protests underscore deep emotional ties
The mass donation drive in the valley is yet another big example of Kashmir’s core support for the war-hit Iran. Earlier, following the confirmation of the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, protests rocked across Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in officials announcing the closure of schools and colleges for two days and imposing restrictions on public and vehicle movement by barricading many arterial roads, including the heart of the city, Lal Chowk.
At the city’s historic Red Square, the thousands of angry people gathered and chanted Farsi and Urdu slogans like “Marg bar Amrika, Marg bar Israel (Death to the United States, Death to Israel); Israel ka jo Yaar Hai, Gaddar Hai, Gaddar Hai (The friends of Israel are traitors).”
Tehran thanks Kashmir, says ‘kindness will never be forgotten’
Soon after the visuals surfaced online, the Iranian Embassy in India amplified the response on X, sharing photos and videos of the donations and highlighting the widows’ and children’s donation efforts, thanking them. “We will never forget your kindness and humanity. Thank you, India.”
“A respected sister from Kashmir donated the gold kept as a memento of her husband, who passed away 28 years ago, with a heart full of love and solidarity for the people of Iran. Your tears and pure emotions are the greatest source of comfort for the people of Iran and will never be forgotten. Thank you, Kashmir. Thank you, India”, the Embassy wrote on X.
“With hearts full of gratitude, we sincerely thank the kind people of Kashmir for standing with the people of Iran through their humanitarian support and heartfelt solidarity; this kindness will never be forgotten”, the Embassy wrote in another post on X.
It is pertinent to mention that India and Iran are close allies with diplomatic ties. Their relationship strengthened over time, especially after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which has been characterised by strategic pragmatism. Iran became a key energy supplier to India, providing vital crude oil. However, while oil imports were suspended due to US-imposed sanctions, India continues to seek investment opportunities in Iranian gas fields, such as Farzad-B. Both countries share interests in the stability of Central Asia and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), aiming to connect India with Russia and Eurasia.
