Desecration of Jama Masjid Unacceptable

By: Owais Bhat
Jama Masjid (The grand mosque) of Kashmir at Nowhatta, in the middle of the old city, Srinagar has been built by Sultan Sikandar Shah Kashmiri Shahmiri in 1394 CE, under the order of Mir Mohmmad Hamadani, son of Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani. Sultan Sikhandar’s son Zain-ul-Abidin extended the Jama Masjid by including turret. It has similarities to Buddhist pagodas and is constructed in Persian style.
After Shahi Hamdan Mir Syed Ali Hamadani Rahimullah, the Mirwiazeen from the pious pulpit of Jama Masjid spread the teachings of Islam and Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. The pious Pulpit of Jamia Masjid from the past 700 years has spreads the true message of Islam, Tawheed & teachings of Prophet Muhammad PBUH. They always played a crucial role in maintaining social, religious and political consciousness among people of Kashmir through the forum of Jamia Masjid. Apart from this, the pulpit is also considered as one of the most powerful Symbols of Kashmirs Resistance Movement & always stood against the oppression from the year 1931.
Jama Masjid being the fountainhead of both the religious identity & the political aspirations of the people of J&K, engaged in the struggle for Right to Self-Determination, inspired by Islamic values of seeking justice & resistance to oppression.
From the pulpit, voice for justice and fulfillment of peoples political will and aspirations has always been raised even in the harshest of circumstances and that is why it is most targeted by the authorities every time.
Since 1931 there was every attempt by many people at different times backed by agencies to weak the centrality of Jama Masjid but has failed in their designs.
Thousands of Muslims assemble at the mosque every Friday to offer their prayers. The Jama Masjid of Kashmir has seen a number of disasters. It got wrecked thrice in fire and was reconstructed every time.
But at the end of year 2018 it was heart wrenching to see that the same pious pulpit of historical Jamia Masjid was desecrated by some vested interest miscreants who don’t even know about the etiquette of Masjid.
As said by Allama Iqbal (RA) in one of the couplet,
“Na-haq k lye uthay to shamsheer bhi fitna,
Shamsheer he kya Nara-e-Takbeer bhi fitna.”
Translation: If taken on Unjust, then even the sword is sedition, Not just the sword even Nara-e-Takbeer (shouting aloud the phrase “Allahu Akbar”) is a sedition.”
The intention behind the pre-planned shameless incident was not only to desecrate the sanctity of Jama Masjid but also was to divide on the basis of sectarian lines among the masses which by the grace of Almighty Allah have failed.
They must understand that people will foil there very attempt to undermine the sanctity of the pulpit of Jama Masjid. The desecration of Membar Rasool S.A.W is totally unacceptable and those miscreants will be held accountable for the shameless act they have done on the day of judgment.