Mirwaiz Umar urges Trump against striking Iran

Srinagar

Kashmir’s chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, on Friday urged former US President Donald Trump to avoid military action against Iran and called for peace in the Middle East. While addressing the Friday congregation at Srinagar’s historic Jamia Masjid, he expressed deep concern over rising violence and humanitarian crises in Gaza and Iran.

Mirwaiz condemned the killing of civilians, including 92 Palestinians in recent Israeli airstrikes. He described the situation as horrifying, especially with starving Palestinians being attacked while collecting aid. He also pointed to Iranian casualties from Israeli attacks and warned against possible US involvement, which, he said, would worsen the crisis.

Appealing for dialogue between Israel and Iran, he stressed that peace is achievable through talks, not war. Kashmiris, who share cultural and religious ties with the Middle East, are deeply pained by this destruction, he said. He warned that unchecked conflict might lead to global catastrophe, possibly a third world war.

Mirwaiz also raised concern over jailed separatist leader Shabir Shah’s health, alleging denial of medical care and family access in Delhi’s Tihar Jail. He said Shah is in urgent need of surgery, but his family's appeals have been ignored.

He accused the authorities of treating incarceration as punishment, violating basic human rights. Mirwaiz urged the Government of India and J&K administration to intervene and provide medical care and family access to Shah, along with humane treatment for all political prisoners in Kashmir.