Srinagar: Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema Jammu Kashmir, headed by incarcerated Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, has strongly condemned the attacks on religious places of worship by some miscreants and anti-socials during the last few days amid the continuous lockdown due to coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
All the constituents of the MMU which include Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid Darul Uloom Raheemiya, Muslim Personal Law Board, Anjuman Sharian Shian, Jamiat Ahle Hadeeth, Jamaat-e-Islami, Karwaan-e-Islami, Itihaad-ul-Muslimeen, Anjuman Himaayat-ul-Islam, Anjuman Tableegh-ul-Islam, Jamiat Hamdania, Anjuman Ulma-e-Ahnaaf, Darul Uloom Qasmiya, Darul Uloom Bilaliya, Anjuman Nusrat-ul-Islam, Anjuman Mazhar-ul-Haq, Anjuman Aima Wa Mashaaikh Kashmir, Muslim Waqf Board, Darul uloom Naqashbandia, Darul Uloom Rashidia, Ahli Bait foundation, Parvaani wilayat and other social, religious and educational organizations in a joint statement condemned the attack and hurling of petrol bomb on Aastaana Bab-ul-Hawaaij Sajjad Abad, Chhatabal, which also houses a centuries old manuscript of Holy Quran. Prior to this Masjid Hazrat Ali (RA) which also has a Darsgah and the final resting place of a religious personality adjacent to it was also attacked by some miscreants
The MMU expressed strong resentment over these acts and condemned it in the strong words.
The MMU warned these miscreants and forces inimical to peace and unity that such kind of acts are intolerable and unacceptable saying the aim was to disturb the centuries old Shia-Sunni unity of the Muslims of the valley
The Majlis-e-Ulema urged the people to remain alert against the nefarious designs of the elements inimical to our unity and harmony.
Pattan: With outside barbers turning out Covid-19 positive, panic has gripped North Kashmir’s Pattan town of Baramulla district.
At least 8 people including 3 non-local barbers were tested positive for Covid-19 infection today in Pattan town. All these infected barbers used to offer home service and have visited a number of houses for hair cuts of people.
“Scores of people in Pattan town have come into the contact of these barbers. A week ago their samples were taken and now 8 people including 3 barbers have turned out positive and isolated. People are requested to come voluntarily for sampling and quarantine themselves,” said an official to news agency KNT.
There are other barbers who need to be tested.
Besides, these 8 people, a cop from Jammu Kashmir Armed wing has also been declared positive. Till date 48 persons have tested positive in Medical Block Pattan and among which are over 15 pregnant ladies.
The data reveals that almost all the pregnant ladies who visited Tramua Hospital Pattan were later declared positive for Covid-19 infection.
Trauma Hospital Pattan was turned into maternity hospital after the outbreak of Covid-19 pendemic and slowly all the pregnant women from North Kashmir started visiting it. Despite the huge rush, hospital authorities didn’t take the matter seriously and made no efforts to maintain Covid-19 norms.
“Even a police station has a thermal scanner to scan a visitor but in Trauma Hospital Pattan, you won’t find anyone,” said a local adding that more than 15 pregnant ladies who visited this hospital have been found positive so for.
‘There is complete mismanagement at Trauma Hospital Pattan, locals said.
Despite repeated attempts, Block Medical Officer Pattan, Dr Tasavur didn’t pick up the phone. (KNT)
There is so much we can gain just by uniting in good. Our Prophet (saw) was a man of unity. He ensured that he spread love and kindness wherever he went, and just through these actions, he attracted millions of people to join the religion of Islam.
The power of unity is so vast, that just by coming together, we can change lives. We can uplift those who are feeling down and we can create a sense of belonging to those vulnerable and those who feel alone. Here are some ways in how we can attain unity to better ourselves and improve our interactions with others.
1. Unity teaches us to be selfless
“None of you will have faith until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” [al-Bukhari]
Quite beautifully, this narration includes both Muslims and non-Muslims in relation to maintaining brotherhood. Imam an-Nawawi comments that here, our Prophet (saw) is directing us about dawah and how a believer should invite a non-believer to Islam just how he loves Islam for himself. He continues, “For this reason, it is recommended to supplicate for the disbeliever to be guided. The meaning of love here is an intention for good and benefit, and this meaning is religious love, not human love.”
This type of love is therefore, quite unique. Just like how you may invite a friend to your home due to wanting their presence and to host them to the best of your abilities, inviting them to Islam with the same mentality is an example of exposing love to someone due to wanting good for them. This is the essence of unity, bringing together people from all walks of life and making them bond through love and respect.
2. Knowing that we are like a structure
Our Prophet (saw) said, “Verily, the believers are like a structure, each part strengthening the other,” and the Prophet clasped his fingers together. [al-Bukhari]
This hadith highlights the importance of supporting one another during times of need willingly and sincerely. It also involves expressing a sense of joy and pleasure when helping one another, seeing it as an honour to be able to fulfil someone else’s need.
This strengthens bonds between people. Even if you were to help someone less fortunate, in a completely different country, though you may not know the beneficiary in person, they will naturally have some sort of love for you and make du’a for you for the peace you’ve brought into their life. Attaining unity is therefore, not restricted. And just by viewing the believers as bricks that come together to build a structure, allows us to understand and visualise that so much good can come out of just supporting one another and being aware of each other’s conditions.
3. Uniting through creating bonds
Unity is key, but it involves effort from every individual, just how Allah (swt) mentions in the Qur’an,
“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favour of Allah upon you – when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favour, brothers.” [3:103]
Our Prophet (saw) was a true inspiration in living the above verse. Being in a leadership position, he faced immense criticism to the point that he was pelted with stones, drenched in dirt and dust, and even his life was put in danger many times. Yet, our Prophet (saw) showed nothing but kindness and respect back to his enemies. He used kindness to change the world and create legacies that continue to live with us today. It was his kindness that made one of his worst enemies, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (ra), to be one of his closest friends, a khalifa and one of the ten promised paradise.
Such is the power of kindness, in which unity can be achieved and love can be spread far and wide.
4. Unity through giving to Charity
“The parable of the believers in their affection, mercy, and compassion for each other is that of a body. When any limb aches, the whole body reacts with sleeplessness and fever.” [al-Bukhari]
The love that a Muslim harbours in his heart should be so sincere that it makes him give towards those in difficulty. He feels the ache of another person and he reacts in the kindest of ways. This brings forth affection, mercy and compassion naturally towards others. In a tough world which holds obstacles of conflict, natural disasters and millions of less fortunate people, it is vital we spread love to unite in goodness. It is in these times that Allah (swt) has commanded us to help those who are in desperate need. It is in these times where we can unite to uplift others and bring good to the world. Through unity, we can make a huge difference.
Unite with the most vulnerable people in this pandemic – providing water, food, healthcare, education, and livelihood support to people who need support around the globe.
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Through unity, a lot can be achieved. Unity brings people together, creating love, harmony and generosity between them. As believers, we can use unity as a platform to spread kindness to others, as well as an opportunity for our spiritual growth to become closer to Allah (swt).
So, let’s reflect on the virtues of unity, allowing us to spread sincere kindness to our family, friends, humanity and the precarious world we inhabit. One way in which you can do this, is by donating to Human Appeal’s excellent projects that work towards improving livelihoods and helping to save vulnerable people and those living in poverty.
May Allah (swt) allow us to unite in goodness, love and generosity. May He allow us to enlighten those in desperate need with hope and may He maintain love in the bonds we have within our kinship and brotherhood.
Srinagar: Kashmir reported first death of a non-local today due to Covid-19
Sources told news agency KNT that a tailor from Kolkatta staying in a rented house in Saraibala area of Srinagar city suffered a heart attack yesterday and was shifted to SMHS Hospital where he succumbed.
His body was shifted to mortuary and samples were taken which have been found positive.
Jammu Kashmir has reported 41 deaths so for due to Covid-19 infection among which 36 are from Kashmir and four from Jammu while one is non-local. (KNT)
Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir administration issued a fresh classification of the districts on Sunday a day ahead of the implementation of the coronavirus lockdown relaxations.
Kathua and Samba districts in Jammu region were dropped from the list of red zones, while Poonch and Rajouri lost their green tags. The four are now included in the list of orange zones.
An order issued by Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam said there were nine districts in the red zone — Srinagar, Budgam, Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, Baramulla and Kupwara in Kashmir, and Ramban in Jammu.
Nine districts — Ganderbal and Bandipora in Kashmir, and Jammu, Udhampur, Kathua, Samba, Udhampur, Reasi, Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu region — are in the orange category.
Doda and Kishtwar districts in the Chenab valley in Jammu region continued to remain under the green list, the order read.
It said in Kathua district’s Lakhanpur, the gateway to Jammu and Kashmir along Jammu-Pathankot highway, would be a red zone with a 500 metre buffer.
The Union territory has so far registered 3,467 COVID-19 cases, including 40 deaths.
The order said the classification of the districts was done for implementing the lockdown relaxations from Monday after a detailed review of the current situation.
Srinagar: Indo-Pak armies Sunday exchanged gunfire across the Line of Control at Hajipeer sector in north Kashmir’s Uri. An official told news agency KINS that,Pakistani troopers resorted to heavy shelling on Indian Army posts at Hajipeer sector of Uri , which was retaliated effectively. An Army official also confirmed to news agency KINS and said “second time in a day Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing of small arms and intense mortar shelling along Line of Control in Hajipeer sector. “The Indian army is retaliating befittingly,” he added. Locals said that panic gripped in the area when the heavy shelling from both the sides took place. A Police official told news agency KINS shelling from both sides is going on, however no loss of life or injury was reported so far.(KINS)
New Delhi: Indian and Chinese military commanders agreed to peacefully resolve the current border issue in eastern Ladakh in accordance with bilateral pacts as well as the agreement reached between leadership of the two countries, the External Affairs Ministry said on Sunday
The two sides held high-level military talks on Saturday in an attempt to resolve the month-long bitter standoff in mountainous eastern Ladakh
“Both sides agreed to peacefully resolve the situation in the border areas in accordance with various bilateral agreements and keeping in view the agreement between the leaders that peace and tranquillity in the India-China border regions is essential for the overall development of bilateral relations, the MEA said in a brief statement
The military talks took place at the Border Personnel Meeting Point in Maldo on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control in Chushul sector
“Both sides also noted that this year marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and agreed that an early resolution would contribute to the further development of the relationship,” the MEA said
“Accordingly, the two sides will continue the military and diplomatic engagements to resolve the situation and to ensure peace and tranquillity in the border areas,” it said.
‘In days ahead, positive cases will surge, we have to take precautions, follow guidelines to minimize transmission, Docs getting infected is a professional hazard’
Srinagar: As Jammu and Kashmir witnesses highest ever spike in covid cases in past 24 hours with over 440 cases including pregnant women and doctors tested positive for the virus, Director Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Science (SKIMS) soura, Dr AG Ahanger Sunday disclosed that community spread is a reality in Kashmir and people have to accept it. In an exclusive interview with news agency KINS, Dr Ahanger said that Kashmir is facing a community spread of Covid-19 for sure. “This is a reality and we have to accept it and learn to live with it,” the top medico said, after J&K witnessed the highest ever spike in Covid positive cases since the pandemic outbreak in the UT.
Asked whether the community spread is going to affect more people in the days ahead, he said obviously more people will get exposed to the virus due to the community spread. “What we need to do is to take preventive measures already in public domain put by the government and health experts of Kashmir,” he said.
Dr Ahanger said that people shouldn’t panic and instead get ready to fight the pandemic. “We have to take precautions to minimize the effect of community spread. Guidelines already in public domain need to be followed in spirit,” he said and reiterated that “we have to learn to live with the virus and at the same time play our bit to minimize its spread.”
To a query whether relaxations in lockdown will result in more positive cases, Director SKIMS said that the number of cases will rise but at the same time “precautions need to be followed rigorously .”
“Those who have herd immunity will be able to fight the pandemic once they get affected. People with weak immunity can’t fight the virus and will suffer. So it’s time to boost your immunity by taking the diet used to make the immunity stronger,” Dr Ahanger said.
On the recovery rate of the patients in Kashmir, he said that it can accurately be analysed once the entire population is tested for the virus. Replying to a query that doctors too were getting infected with the virus, the Director SKIMS said that if somebody doesn’t take precautions and they would obviously fall prey to the virus. “Once preventive measures are taken properly and the gear is used, I don’t think there is any scope of getting infected,” Dr Ahanger said. He, however, said that doctors getting infected with the Covid-19 is a “professional hazard.”
Pertinently, Covid-19 has widened its ambit in J&K and has recorded 40 deaths besides over 3500 people have been affected with the virus so far. What has added more to the worry is a large number of pregnant women are fast falling prey to this deadly pandemic.(KINS)
Srinagar: Vice-Chancellor Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Kashmir (SKUAST-K) Professor Nazeer Ahmed Sunday said there has been no coronavirus case at SKUAST- Shalimar campus.
There are social media reports that multiple COVID-19 cases are at SKUAST campus Shalimar.
“These are all baseless reports. No COVID-19 case has been detected at SKUAST campus Shalimar. Our university is also open and staff also come,” Professor Nazir told news agency KINS.
He said there is a quarantine centre at the SKUAST campus Shalimar. “But no positive case has been reported at SKUAST-K. There is no truth in these reports,” he added. (KINS)
Srinagar: An encounter broke out between security forces and militants in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, police said.
Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Reban area of Shopian in South Kashmir this morning after receiving specific information about the presence of militants in the area, a police official said.
He said the search operation turned into an encounter after militants fired upon a search party of the forces, who retaliated.
The exchange of fire is underway and further details are awaited.
