By Yasar Muhammad Baba - Greater Kashmir - Srinigar, India
Friday, June 30, 2006
The Hindus and Muslims of Kashmir regard the valley as a holy land. There are forty five places dedicated to Mahadev and Sixty four to Vishnu three to Brahma and twenty two to Durga.
In around seven hundred places there are carved figures of snakes, which they worship. The Hindus worship five principal deities which are Shiva, Surya, Ganapati, Bhawani and Vishnu.
Both the communities used to hold almost all saints and shrines in high esteem. The Muslim boatman used to carry the pilgrims to the shrines of Goddess Rajna at Tulamula would abstain from non-vegetarian dishes and even onion and garlic. Hindus passing by the shrine of Dastagir Sahib in down town and other shrines like Batamol, Narpeerastan etc, would bow reverentially near the gate of the shrine.
The secular tradition in Kashmir was nurtured by the saints and sages, some of whom were poets of a high order. Day in and day out, they impressed upon their devotees the fundamental unity of all religions and the importance of living good moral lives free from hate and narrow ritualism. The lead in this was, of course, given by Lal Ded and Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali who was also poet of high order. Both lived about the time of Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin.
This glorious tradition was carried forward and consolidated by later saints and writers. This we find in Sheikh Yaqub Sarfi an eminent poet in Persian asserting that:-
“In all the hundred thousand mirrors
It is the one that in splendour shines”
And, Abdul Ahad Azad a popular Kashmiri poet, declaring:
“My deen is fraternity my dharma unity.”
His more illustrious contemporary Ghulam Ahmad Mahjoor, a votary of Hindu-Muslim unity and in the hearts of Kashmiri people are shrined the high principles of brotherhood, tolerance and communal amity. According to him:-
“Hindus will keep the helm and
Muslims ply the oars.
And thus the two will tow ashore
The boat of the land.”
The concept of secularism had been and shall ever remain very much dear to the people of Kashmir because no blood has been lost in communal grounds and the history bears ample testimony to this well established fact. Kashmiris have always foiled the attempts that aimed at shattering their faith in secularism, which is deep rooted in their minds. And the reality is that a Kashmiri be he a Hindu or a Muslim is basically a Kashmiri.
The great mystic poetess and renowned lady-saint of Kashmir Lal Ded stressed upon mutual brotherhood and tolerance towards other religion like this:-
‘Shiva pervades every place,
Don’t differentiate between Hindu and Muslim
If you are intelligent recognize yourself
That is the true acquaintance with God.”
Hindu Sadhus and Sanyasis influenced Muslim masses as much as did Muslims Sheikhs and Pirs Hindu masses. The product of this cultural fusion was Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali popularly known as Nund Rishi the common heritage of the Hindu and Muslim in Kashmir. Lel Ded and Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali were followed by Habba Khatun, Urnimal, Parmanand, Shamas Faquir, Masterji, Mehjoor, Azad and Nadim who also strengthened the ties of brotherhood among both the communities and its is because of them that the Kashmiris have remained tolerant in their outlook and behaviour throughout the centuries.
These mystic poets of Kashmir blended the best in different faiths and preached the gospel of love, brotherhood and non-violence. They exposed the superficial differences between various faiths and identified the underlying unity of all religions.
The cult of Sufism attracted poets, thinkers and philosophers. And mysticism emerged as the marked feature of socio-religious life of mediaeval Kashmir. This resulted in the synthesis between the new and old traditions which, the people of this land have inherited from ages together.
A Kashmiri be he Hindu or Muslim can not forget the names of the Kashmiri poets who had contributed a lot for Kashmiri Literature and brotherhood the well known among them are:- Nand Lal Ambardar, Shambu Nath ‘Haleem’, Avtar Krishan ‘Rehbar’, Prem Nath Premi, Dina Nath Almast, Moti Lal Saqi, Chaman Lal Chaman, Radhey Nath Masarat, Makhan Lal Mahow and Amin Kamil, Rahman Rahi, Ghulam Nabi Gowher, Noor Mohammad Roshan, Gulam Nabi Firaq, Shamim Ahmad Shamim, Naji Munawar, Mirza Arif Beigh and Fazil Kashmiri.
Kashmiris have an ancient and glorious tradition of spiritual and intellectual genius. There have been world renowned figures like Kalhana and Abhunavagupta, Nehru and Sapru, Lal Ded and Lakshmanjoo.
The saints and seers have strengthened the ties of human brotherhood among all sections of people in Kashmir and after then the Kashmiris have walked on their paths all along. Kashmiris have a keen desire to live with honour and dignity as world citizens. They wish to carry forward their cultural and spiritual heritage and the message of their saints and seers who produced enlightenment for all of mankind.
Though Kashmiri Hindu or Muslim have suffered a lot, yet their sufferings, their love and creativity will produce much sunshine and harmony for the history of mankind but there is much more which needs to be done to restore our old traditions. We have a challenging task ahead of resettling our Hindu brethrens in their homes in Kashmir in their natural environment with honour and dignity so that we can work together and guard our heritage of love and brotherhood.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
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Sunday, November 12, 2006
Communal harmony in Kashmir (II)
By Yasar Muhammad Baba - Greater Kashmir - Srinigar, India
Friday, June 30, 2006
The Hindus and Muslims of Kashmir regard the valley as a holy land. There are forty five places dedicated to Mahadev and Sixty four to Vishnu three to Brahma and twenty two to Durga.
In around seven hundred places there are carved figures of snakes, which they worship. The Hindus worship five principal deities which are Shiva, Surya, Ganapati, Bhawani and Vishnu.
Both the communities used to hold almost all saints and shrines in high esteem. The Muslim boatman used to carry the pilgrims to the shrines of Goddess Rajna at Tulamula would abstain from non-vegetarian dishes and even onion and garlic. Hindus passing by the shrine of Dastagir Sahib in down town and other shrines like Batamol, Narpeerastan etc, would bow reverentially near the gate of the shrine.
The secular tradition in Kashmir was nurtured by the saints and sages, some of whom were poets of a high order. Day in and day out, they impressed upon their devotees the fundamental unity of all religions and the importance of living good moral lives free from hate and narrow ritualism. The lead in this was, of course, given by Lal Ded and Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali who was also poet of high order. Both lived about the time of Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin.
This glorious tradition was carried forward and consolidated by later saints and writers. This we find in Sheikh Yaqub Sarfi an eminent poet in Persian asserting that:-
“In all the hundred thousand mirrors
It is the one that in splendour shines”
And, Abdul Ahad Azad a popular Kashmiri poet, declaring:
“My deen is fraternity my dharma unity.”
His more illustrious contemporary Ghulam Ahmad Mahjoor, a votary of Hindu-Muslim unity and in the hearts of Kashmiri people are shrined the high principles of brotherhood, tolerance and communal amity. According to him:-
“Hindus will keep the helm and
Muslims ply the oars.
And thus the two will tow ashore
The boat of the land.”
The concept of secularism had been and shall ever remain very much dear to the people of Kashmir because no blood has been lost in communal grounds and the history bears ample testimony to this well established fact. Kashmiris have always foiled the attempts that aimed at shattering their faith in secularism, which is deep rooted in their minds. And the reality is that a Kashmiri be he a Hindu or a Muslim is basically a Kashmiri.
The great mystic poetess and renowned lady-saint of Kashmir Lal Ded stressed upon mutual brotherhood and tolerance towards other religion like this:-
‘Shiva pervades every place,
Don’t differentiate between Hindu and Muslim
If you are intelligent recognize yourself
That is the true acquaintance with God.”
Hindu Sadhus and Sanyasis influenced Muslim masses as much as did Muslims Sheikhs and Pirs Hindu masses. The product of this cultural fusion was Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali popularly known as Nund Rishi the common heritage of the Hindu and Muslim in Kashmir. Lel Ded and Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali were followed by Habba Khatun, Urnimal, Parmanand, Shamas Faquir, Masterji, Mehjoor, Azad and Nadim who also strengthened the ties of brotherhood among both the communities and its is because of them that the Kashmiris have remained tolerant in their outlook and behaviour throughout the centuries.
These mystic poets of Kashmir blended the best in different faiths and preached the gospel of love, brotherhood and non-violence. They exposed the superficial differences between various faiths and identified the underlying unity of all religions.
The cult of Sufism attracted poets, thinkers and philosophers. And mysticism emerged as the marked feature of socio-religious life of mediaeval Kashmir. This resulted in the synthesis between the new and old traditions which, the people of this land have inherited from ages together.
A Kashmiri be he Hindu or Muslim can not forget the names of the Kashmiri poets who had contributed a lot for Kashmiri Literature and brotherhood the well known among them are:- Nand Lal Ambardar, Shambu Nath ‘Haleem’, Avtar Krishan ‘Rehbar’, Prem Nath Premi, Dina Nath Almast, Moti Lal Saqi, Chaman Lal Chaman, Radhey Nath Masarat, Makhan Lal Mahow and Amin Kamil, Rahman Rahi, Ghulam Nabi Gowher, Noor Mohammad Roshan, Gulam Nabi Firaq, Shamim Ahmad Shamim, Naji Munawar, Mirza Arif Beigh and Fazil Kashmiri.
Kashmiris have an ancient and glorious tradition of spiritual and intellectual genius. There have been world renowned figures like Kalhana and Abhunavagupta, Nehru and Sapru, Lal Ded and Lakshmanjoo.
The saints and seers have strengthened the ties of human brotherhood among all sections of people in Kashmir and after then the Kashmiris have walked on their paths all along. Kashmiris have a keen desire to live with honour and dignity as world citizens. They wish to carry forward their cultural and spiritual heritage and the message of their saints and seers who produced enlightenment for all of mankind.
Though Kashmiri Hindu or Muslim have suffered a lot, yet their sufferings, their love and creativity will produce much sunshine and harmony for the history of mankind but there is much more which needs to be done to restore our old traditions. We have a challenging task ahead of resettling our Hindu brethrens in their homes in Kashmir in their natural environment with honour and dignity so that we can work together and guard our heritage of love and brotherhood.
Friday, June 30, 2006
The Hindus and Muslims of Kashmir regard the valley as a holy land. There are forty five places dedicated to Mahadev and Sixty four to Vishnu three to Brahma and twenty two to Durga.
In around seven hundred places there are carved figures of snakes, which they worship. The Hindus worship five principal deities which are Shiva, Surya, Ganapati, Bhawani and Vishnu.
Both the communities used to hold almost all saints and shrines in high esteem. The Muslim boatman used to carry the pilgrims to the shrines of Goddess Rajna at Tulamula would abstain from non-vegetarian dishes and even onion and garlic. Hindus passing by the shrine of Dastagir Sahib in down town and other shrines like Batamol, Narpeerastan etc, would bow reverentially near the gate of the shrine.
The secular tradition in Kashmir was nurtured by the saints and sages, some of whom were poets of a high order. Day in and day out, they impressed upon their devotees the fundamental unity of all religions and the importance of living good moral lives free from hate and narrow ritualism. The lead in this was, of course, given by Lal Ded and Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali who was also poet of high order. Both lived about the time of Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin.
This glorious tradition was carried forward and consolidated by later saints and writers. This we find in Sheikh Yaqub Sarfi an eminent poet in Persian asserting that:-
“In all the hundred thousand mirrors
It is the one that in splendour shines”
And, Abdul Ahad Azad a popular Kashmiri poet, declaring:
“My deen is fraternity my dharma unity.”
His more illustrious contemporary Ghulam Ahmad Mahjoor, a votary of Hindu-Muslim unity and in the hearts of Kashmiri people are shrined the high principles of brotherhood, tolerance and communal amity. According to him:-
“Hindus will keep the helm and
Muslims ply the oars.
And thus the two will tow ashore
The boat of the land.”
The concept of secularism had been and shall ever remain very much dear to the people of Kashmir because no blood has been lost in communal grounds and the history bears ample testimony to this well established fact. Kashmiris have always foiled the attempts that aimed at shattering their faith in secularism, which is deep rooted in their minds. And the reality is that a Kashmiri be he a Hindu or a Muslim is basically a Kashmiri.
The great mystic poetess and renowned lady-saint of Kashmir Lal Ded stressed upon mutual brotherhood and tolerance towards other religion like this:-
‘Shiva pervades every place,
Don’t differentiate between Hindu and Muslim
If you are intelligent recognize yourself
That is the true acquaintance with God.”
Hindu Sadhus and Sanyasis influenced Muslim masses as much as did Muslims Sheikhs and Pirs Hindu masses. The product of this cultural fusion was Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali popularly known as Nund Rishi the common heritage of the Hindu and Muslim in Kashmir. Lel Ded and Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali were followed by Habba Khatun, Urnimal, Parmanand, Shamas Faquir, Masterji, Mehjoor, Azad and Nadim who also strengthened the ties of brotherhood among both the communities and its is because of them that the Kashmiris have remained tolerant in their outlook and behaviour throughout the centuries.
These mystic poets of Kashmir blended the best in different faiths and preached the gospel of love, brotherhood and non-violence. They exposed the superficial differences between various faiths and identified the underlying unity of all religions.
The cult of Sufism attracted poets, thinkers and philosophers. And mysticism emerged as the marked feature of socio-religious life of mediaeval Kashmir. This resulted in the synthesis between the new and old traditions which, the people of this land have inherited from ages together.
A Kashmiri be he Hindu or Muslim can not forget the names of the Kashmiri poets who had contributed a lot for Kashmiri Literature and brotherhood the well known among them are:- Nand Lal Ambardar, Shambu Nath ‘Haleem’, Avtar Krishan ‘Rehbar’, Prem Nath Premi, Dina Nath Almast, Moti Lal Saqi, Chaman Lal Chaman, Radhey Nath Masarat, Makhan Lal Mahow and Amin Kamil, Rahman Rahi, Ghulam Nabi Gowher, Noor Mohammad Roshan, Gulam Nabi Firaq, Shamim Ahmad Shamim, Naji Munawar, Mirza Arif Beigh and Fazil Kashmiri.
Kashmiris have an ancient and glorious tradition of spiritual and intellectual genius. There have been world renowned figures like Kalhana and Abhunavagupta, Nehru and Sapru, Lal Ded and Lakshmanjoo.
The saints and seers have strengthened the ties of human brotherhood among all sections of people in Kashmir and after then the Kashmiris have walked on their paths all along. Kashmiris have a keen desire to live with honour and dignity as world citizens. They wish to carry forward their cultural and spiritual heritage and the message of their saints and seers who produced enlightenment for all of mankind.
Though Kashmiri Hindu or Muslim have suffered a lot, yet their sufferings, their love and creativity will produce much sunshine and harmony for the history of mankind but there is much more which needs to be done to restore our old traditions. We have a challenging task ahead of resettling our Hindu brethrens in their homes in Kashmir in their natural environment with honour and dignity so that we can work together and guard our heritage of love and brotherhood.
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