Pulwama, June 19: Murran village in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district witnessed members of the Muslim community joining Kashmiri Pandits during the celebration of the birth anniversary of Brari Maej, reflecting the village’s tradition of communal harmony and coexistence.
Members of the Muslim community participated in the religious event and extended support to their Pandit neighbours. Local residents said that Murran has long been known for maintaining relations between different communities, with people sharing each other’s joys and sorrows irrespective of religious affiliation.
The occasion also saw members of the Muslim community appealing to Kashmiri Pandit families who migrated from the Valley during the 1990s to return to their ancestral homes. They said that the situation has changed and assured them of support upon their return.
Rajpora MLA Ghulam Mohiuddin Mir attended the event as a special guest and was welcomed by members of the Pandit community. Addressing the gathering, he recalled how Muslims and Pandits jointly celebrated the occasion before the migration of the 1990s. He said that the people of Kashmir should help create a sense of security for the return of Kashmiri Pandits and appealed to religious organisations, including those led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Ahl-e-Sunnat and Ahl-e-Hadith, to support such efforts.
A Kashmiri Pandit presently residing in Delhi said he felt nostalgic after witnessing the Hawan at the temple and seeing members of the Muslim community participate in the celebrations.
A woman from the Pandit community, originally from Murran, said she remains in contact with her childhood friends in the village. She said that she wishes to return to her native place and live there as she did in the past.
On the sidelines of the Hawan, a book titled Kashmir Shrines & Temples, Volume 7, authored by Chander M. Bhat, was released. A documentary on the temple was also released on YouTube.
A Kashmiri Sufi music event was also running simultaneously in the premises of the temple and both the members of the community were enjoyed the event.
Among those who attended the event were former DDC member of National Conference Javid Rahim Bhat, BJP leader Arshid Bhat, and former municipal councillor Aijaz Dhobi.
Officials from the district administration, including the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Pulwama and Tehsildar Pulwama, also visited the temple and interacted with members of the Pandit community.
Security arrangements in and around the temple were made by the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the CRPF.
