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  • Yasin Malik writes open letter to Sushma Swaraj, invokes Kulbushan Yadav to highlight issues of Kashmiris

    Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Yasin Malik on Sunday wrote a public letter to Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj to highlight the miseries and harassment faced by Kashmiri political prisoners while invoking alleged Indian spy Kulbushan Yadav and his treatment in Pakistan.

    Yadav’s family was last week allowed to meet him in a move, Pakistan described as “humanitarian” and India called a “publicity stunt”.

    Here is the full text of Malik’s letter:

    Respected Sushma Suwaraj Jee

    Minister for Foreign Affairs, India.

     Madam Sushma Jee:

    In public life, from time to time, it becomes necessary to converse one’s insights, apprehensions and worries to others in public life on the imperative issues of our time in an open and honest manner. It is in this long tradition of public communication between individuals and in a spirit of honesty and frankness, that I address your good self through this open letter. I am penning down these lines not as a political campaigner but as a common individual, a prisoner, who has served many years of his life in Indian jails and is still forced to endure this torment on daily basis here in Jammu Kashmir. On 28th December 2017, I was listening to your emotional speech you made in Indian parliament wherein you in your own words illustrated the ordeal of Indian prisoner Kulbushan Yadhav’s meeting with his family in Pakistan on 25th December. Madam Suwaraj, believe me, your words touched the chords of my heart and as a person who has seen the miseries of jail life; I could envisage the tribulation Yadhav’s wife and mother had to go through. A human being has feelings and he/she displays these feelings in melancholies as well as in his/her exhilarations. This is what makes us distinct from the animal world. Being an advocate of human dignity, rights of prisoners and ascendancy of kindness over cruelty, I stand for the rights of Kulbushan Yadhav too. No matter who he is and what he has done or what he has been condemned for, he is a prisoner, a captive and every religion, international covenants and human norms endow him and his family certain rights which no one can and should deny. Allow me to use this occasion to call upon Pakistani authorities that Pakistan being a Muslim state has to be more heedful as the Holy Book of Islam and hundreds of sayings of our Prophet (PBUH) on the rights of prisoners and welfare of their families, their right to mutual meetings and a fair trial are well established facts that need to be pursued in letter and spirit.

    Madam: as a prisoner, I can comprehend the pain of Yadhav family and when during your speech you said that Yadhav’s mother wanted to hug her son after 22 months of long separation but was not allowed to do so, my eyes got wet. My old wounds got scratched too by your poignant lexis. It recalled me of my old mother’s ordeal, who not once but many a times, in the same manner, after her repeated pleadings to jail authorities, was denied a chance to hug me, her only son, at many Indian jails especially at Tihar .This reminded me of the tears of my sister who could not tolerate to see me from behind a glass wall, talking on an intercom just like Yadhav. Her plea to touch me was also discarded on the pretext of security reasons. I recollect my little sisters’ tears rolling down her cheeks at Indian notorious Jhodpur jail in 1999, when the then superintend of jail rejected her plea with a strange argument that only blood relation was allowed a meeting and brother sister relation was not a blood relation in his view. As a dignified woman you can envisage the trauma my little sister “Aamina” had to pass through when she had to leave and travel thousands of miles again back to home without meeting her brother.

    Madam: I and everyone who has some empathy left in him went into tears when you quoted Yadhav’s mother saying that on seeing her without Mangalsutra her prisoner son asked about the welfare of his father assuming that he might have died because mother was without a Bindiya on her forehead and Mangalsutra. I could visualize the situation as hundreds of times during my jail Yatra these kinds of thoughts haunted me too.

    Madam:  the ordeal of Indian prisoner and his family is painful for them but allow me to remind you that the records of your country in this context are also not so dazzling. It is India that hanged Kashmiri freedom fighter Muhammad Maqbool Butt without allowing him a last meeting with his family members. His younger brother late Ghulam Nabi Butt, who wanted to travel to Delhi to receive his elder brothers corpse, was arrested at Srinagar airport. Maqbool Butt in absence of his family members was buried inside the Tihar jail. It is India that, without proving his guilt and just on the pretext to ‘satisfy the collective conscience of India masses, hanged another Kashmiri youth, Muhammad Afzal Guru in 2013. It is on record that he not only was denied a last chance of meeting his 12 year son, 80 year old mother and a wailing young wife but even his proper burial was denied by the Indian authorities. The families of these two Kashmiris are still waiting for their mortal remains to be handed over to them. Isn’t it a grave Be-Adabi of humanity too? Moreover, Madam Suwaraj; there are thousands of Kashmiris who have disappeared after being picked up by Indian forces from their residences and their families are yet clueless of their whereabouts. Their wives have been named as ‘half widows’ (a newly introduced terminology) by well reputed international human rights organizations. The continued agony of these families is too worth consideration.

    Madam: you raised some legitimate questions in your speech about the rights of a prisoner and his family and I also agree with you especially about the right to hug a mother, to touch his wife and to see his children. But this principle should hold same for every prisoner be he a political prisoner, a freedom fighter, a criminal, or any other lawbreaker. I recently met with the families of some prisoners from Kashmir who are in Tihar jail, held for their political beliefs. During my meeting with their kids and wives, they narrated before me the stories of same malice and humiliations. Daughter of one of these asked me to do something so that she is permitted to touch her father’s face. Innocent heart of her other sister is wrecked to the extent that she no longer longs for a meeting with his father through glass wall. This is what poor families of your prisoners have to face; A meeting with their loved ones behind a glass wall, a chat on intercom, without mother’s hug, without a physical touch by a daughter and without a close meeting of a wife with her husband, pains a lot. Stories of Syed Shabir Ahmad Shah to that of Ayaz Akbar, from Altaf A. Shah to Shahid-ul-Islam and from Peer Saifullah , Raja Meraj-ud-Din to Farooq Ahmad Dar @ Bitta Karatay and Zahoor Ahmad Watali  to Naeem A. Khan and many others remains the same. Madam, I wish to put names of all those here who are languishing in Indians jails from many years ,whose families are facing a continued persecution, but lack of space and time is impeding me from that but believe me, Jails from Kashmir to Kanya-Kumari share same kind of horridness and tyranny.

    Madam, as I have held before, I did not write this letter as a politician but as an eyewitness to miseries of jail life. I remember that in 2004, I was sent to Tihar Jail for I had failed to attend few hearings of my case at a Delhi court. The jail authorities removed all my attire and asked me to remove my trousers for a shameful rectum check-up. I resisted this undignified torture which was not meant for me alone but for every prisoner. My refusal to accept torture was reciprocated with an attack on me with bamboo sticks and Gun-butts which fractured my right arm. My sympathies with every prisoner are for these kinds of revulsions and miseries and I will always stand for the welfare of inmates whosoever and wherever they are. In-fact it was this conviction which enthused me to go against tide and plead in favor of late Sarabjit Singh at a time when I was sitting on hunger strike in Islamabad in 2013 against Muhammad Afzal Guru’s illegal and merciless hanging by India.

    Madam, the tale of thousands of young Kashmiris and students, who are facing the wrath of your state from last many years is also worth consideration. During recent months and years I as a prisoner got a chance to witness the ordeal of these young Kashmiris at various police stations . I  witnessed  tribulation faced by these young boys and their families. Arrested during peaceful protests, these youthful Kashmiris are beaten ruthlessly in police stations and whilst their mothers and sisters visit them at police stations, the abusive language used by police officers against them and profanity faced by their mothers and sisters is actually beyond description. Regrettably this torment and mortification is responsible for pushing many of these young Kashmiris to a hard line path.

    Madam: when you lashed out at a section of Pakistani media who according to you harassed Yahdev family in Islamabad Pakistan by asking unethical, provocative and abusive questions, I too felt dismayed. The family of a prisoner should not be harassed in such a manner. This is against normal human instincts, against Islamic ethics and our sub-continental morals. How could we be such cold-blooded? But madam! Let me remind you that this kind of unethical behavior is also not cartel of anyone alone. I was in Delhi with my wife and two year old daughter, to see them off. We had made a prior hotel booking but as we entered hotel premises, management refused to let us in. I pleaded with the hotel management but they refused to take a Pakistani (my wife and her little daughter) in. I was thrown out of hotel with my little daughter in my lap. I repeatedly contacted DIG Kashmir of that time Mr.Ifhadul Mujtaba, asking him for help. He assured me of aid and shifted my plea to ADG-CID with no respond. I contacted authorities in Delhi but how could they help me, as we had been thrown out of hotel at their behest. I along with my family had to take shelter at Dargah Nizam-ud-din for hours before a friend could host us for a night. It was not the first harassment; earlier your party activists also attacked me and my family at late Khawaja Abdul Gani Lone’s residential flat in Delhi. We were even not spared during our visit to Ajmer Shareef shrine. I got injured while saving my wife from stones thrown by the same people who stand with a slogan ‘’Ateethi Devo Bawa” (guests are like gods). In fact these nonstop attacks have left inerasable scars on the hearts and minds of my family and may haunt us forever and this is why I strongly feel for the unfortunate Yadhev family too.

    Madam, antagonistic attitude towards each other has actually taken away humanity and humility from humans. Humans’ especially the divergent states often lay blame on one another for tyrannies and cruelty. In fact the whole world has turned a blind eye on human rights and human dignity now. How can one ignore Abu Ghareeb and Guantanamo bay jails set out by the mighty human rights champions, where humans dignity and pride was trampled callously, setting out a bad example for the rest of the world.

    Madam:  as a human being I stand for the ascendance of humanity in every aspect of life. Someone has rightly said that “failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough and that no success is final and no failure fatal, it is courage to continue that counts”. Let us take a leaf out of this present disappointment and tread a path that can make our lives more civilized. Difference in political perceptions, ideologies and endeavors of life shall not turn us away from what makes us distinct from flora and fauna. We have our religious teachings, international covenants and pledges, moral and social bindings that govern our individual and public lives. Let us all pledge to follow these promises and regulations at least in case of prisoners and make their lives and the lives of their families’ better. This couplet of Allama Iqbal’s describes this yearning fabulously and I hope one day this will become every human’s desire;

    “Khuda kay banday tou hain hazaroon Banoo main Phirtay hain Maray Maray

    Main us ka banda banooga jis ko khuda kay bandoon say Piyaay Hoga” 

    Thank you

    Muhammad Yasin Malik

  • Menime: The class 11 girl at the forefront of Kashmir’s hip-hop scene

    BY Auqib Javeed

    Decades of conflict notwithstanding, Kashmir has had a rich history of music and singing. Traditionally, Kashmiris have embraced Sufi music and songs. But with the time, singers have evolved both in terms of their style as well as content. The conflict has played its part too, with the new crop of singers deeply moved by what is happening around them, and moving towards new genres to convey their feelings.

    With gen-next at its heart, rap music – an alien concept in the Valley not too long ago – is one of the genres that has found a voice, both powerful and trendsetting. MC Kash (Roushan Illahi) introduced it way back in 2010, at a time when Kashmir was in the middle of unrest. His song, ‘I Protest’, became the unofficial anthem of those protests. He became a household name and inspired many others to become hip-hop artists.

    Seven years after ‘I Protest’, the hip-hop scene in the Valley has evolved, and there’s an unlikely artist at the forefront of the scene. Mehak – an Urdu word for fragrance – is a student of class 11 in Srinagar, and she’s making waves as the Valley’s first female rapper. Going by the stage name of Menime, her songs about the pain and agony Kashmiris have suffered during the decades-long conflict have really resonated with a large audience.

    In this free-wheeling conversation, Mehak talks about how she began rapping, the influence of Kashmir’s crisis on her music, and how she wants to be a voice for oppressed. These are the edited excerpts:

    Auqib Javeed: You burst onto the scene with your rapping. Tell us more about you?

    Mehak: My name is Mehak, but I go by the stage name of Menime. It’s a reverse of Eminem’s name. I got into hip-hop at the age of 12. Currently, I’m studying in the eleventh grade at Kothi Bagh Higher Secondary School, Srinagar. I live in the outskirts of Srinagar which I’ve heard was not only a hotbed of militancy then but a centre stage of some violent protests.

    AJ: What is hip-hop to you and how did you choose it?

    M: Hip-hop is a movement, a culture, as well as a genre of music. It’s a medium through which we can express our feelings and thoughts. Hip-hop means reality. When I was 12-years old, I listened to Eminem’s songs and rapped on them. He is my inspiration – his rapping style, vocabulary, accent. Then I started writing my own stuff and started to rap.

    AJ: Tell us about your label?

    M: AHM Dexterity Records is the very first hip-hop record label of the Valley. It was started by my friends – Aamir Ame and Husteer – and I. Aamir and Husteer started their career in music when they were in the class 10. They are into this genre for the last eight years and have always been at the top of the hip-hop scene.

    The record label was created to promote and push hip-hop culture in the Valley. This record label has its own set up for recording audio and video. We have our team. The aim of the record label is to provide a platform to all local rappers in the Valley. Local studios charge them a huge amount which they are not able to afford. This record label provides them everything professional at affordable prices, plus tips to improve as well.

    AJ: How much has the Kashmir conflict affected you?

    M: Conflict does affect everybody in one way or the other. I am a victim of the conflict.

    AJ:  As you told us that you are a political rapper, what is your view on the Kashmir conflict?

    M: As you know, many people have been killed, tortured, blinded, and arrested in Kashmir. We have faced a lot of problems which make us unhappy with the administration. I think people’s voices need to be heard and resolved. We surely want a solution which is peaceful and brings normalcy back.

    When I have to write a political song, I read the stories about the conflict and then I decide to write my lyrics. I am doing it for my own people. I am a Kashmiri citizen. I am born here, we are politically oppressed, and I am doing my best to speak on behalf of our people through my rapping.

    AJ: Does singing help you to vent out your anger?

    M: Yes, obviously, when I experience anger I like to listen or song to extreme music that can match my anger. Rap helps me to explore what I feel and I freely express my anger and emotions through it. People resort to music as a form of protest in fearful and intimidating situations

    AJ: How difficult is it for you to rap in a society where it is unacceptable, especially for girls?

    M: It’s really difficult, but I have to do it, and I’ll do it regardless of what anybody has to say. This society is the mixture of various thoughts – some are supportive, some are not. People appreciate, but some even hate.

    What I have to do is to look at the positive things around me and not give a damn to haters and those who oppose me. They are to be ignored and I have to move forward, like they say, “Haters make me famous.”

    I don’t care whether society accepts me or not. I know what I’m doing and I’m sure they are going to support me too. However, these days more and more youngsters from our generation are breaking stereotypes to give it a try.

    AJ:  How did your parents react to your rapping?

    M: In the beginning, I didn’t have any support from my parents. They used to scold me, because they knew that if I chose rap it’ll be difficult for me to become a rapper in a conservative society like Kashmir, which prefers women in conventional professions.

    Still, I didn’t give up. I was very passionate towards my work and I made them understand that girls have every right to do when men could do. Now they’re supporting me and have no issues with what I’m doing.

    AJ: How have Kashmiris reacted to the message you put out with your rapping?

    M: I’m glad they are appreciating me. I really wasn’t expecting such a huge positive response from the people. I don’t only rap about one theme. As I told you, I am a political rapper as well as an entertainment rapper. So I rap about different themes like revolution, human rights violations, deception, gangs, love, motivation, life stories, etc.

    AJ: How do you see your future in rapping?

    M: Umm, well it’s a pretty tough question. I don’t know what’s gonna happen next, but I will work hard, and I hope I can, one day, see myself as a successful rapper.

    The interview was first published in the CatchNews

  • Feeling suffocated and disturbed : Muzaffer Beigh

    ‘May quit, if taken for granted’

    ‘Disturbed ‘ and ‘stressed’ with PDP’s ‘inability’ to live up to the expectations of the Public, Senior PDP leader and one of the architects of the Party, Muzaffer Hussain Beigh has said, the day he feels that his dignity and  honor was ‘compromised’ and his suggestions not taken seriously, he would quit the party. The stalwart leader who was once considered as the most trusted lieutenant of former Chief Minster late Mufti Muhammad Syed revealed that many other ministers and leaders of incumbent PDP dispensation have meaningfully drifted apart, though, “Nothing can be predicted”.
    Terming the present PDP dispensation as ‘unpopular’ and ‘ineffective’ as compared to that of the Mufti Mohammad Syed led unit in 2002, Beigh said, he was feeling ‘suffocated’ and ‘stressed’ with the crises PDP was currently in. The former Deputy Chief Minster in his exclusive interview with The Kashmir Magazine said that the PDP had been formed with great hopes and was nurtured by the former Chief Minster late Mufti Mohammad Syed along with many other founding members including him (Beigh) to provide a vibrant political alternative to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He however, regretted that the same PDP looked like a ‘scattered unit’ with visibly no centrifugal force with many leaders trying to create their own power houses within the party. The revelations of Mr. Beigh have come to fore just a few days after he took on, many senior Party ministers asking them to mend their ways as their ‘internal bickering’ had caused a huge damage to the party leaving  the party workers ‘confused’ and ‘dejected’. During his speech to the Party’s ‘electoral college’ that had assembled to elect President of the party, Beigh had advised party men to bring unity in the camp and had regretted that it was painful to see the  ‘infighting’.
    ““During my speech, I stressed for unity as I had been getting inputs that everything was not well in the party and many ministers were not even in talking terms with each other.” Beigh told this Magazine, adding that the situation was disturbing for the party as well as for workers who have sacrificed everything for this Party. He said that since he was one of the founder members of the party, therefore he was duty bound to point out the weaknesses and strengths of the party so that the president and the workers are not misled. The Parliamentarian said, “I began my speech with a very lighter note so that some humor is brought in the meeting, but what I said was in no way a casual thing. I said that there is a perception that everything is not going well in the party as many ministers are not even in talking terms with each other. We have three ministers in the cabinet who are relatives to each other and surprisingly, they are not talking to each other,” said Beigh, adding that even workers told him that if they go to one minster, the other gets annoyed. The former Deputy Chief Minster said that he had requested the most senior ministers among the three to take a lead in making efforts for reconciliation.
    He said while drawing a comparison between the Late Mufti led government of 2002 and the incumbent Mehbooba led government, he urged the ministers and leaders to pause and see what the people were thinking of that regime and today’s government. The parliamentarian stressed that militancy was even then yet people were satisfied with the governance which satisfaction was someway missing now. Beigh said the ‘perception’ of the people regarding governance of the incumbent government was not encouraging and added that ministers must ask themselves, why the perception about their performance was so negative .
    “Perception of our governance is worse than our performance.” He said, adding that there was no mechanism in place where the PDP government could not only repulse the ‘hyper negativity’ of the perception but also is able to propagate its achievements to the best satisfaction of the people. Beigh said suggesting that there must be a counter narrative to the ‘wrong perception’ with regard to performance.
    “Sometimes the negativity of the perception causes more damage than the actual failures in the governance. We are lacking that skill. I suggested a team of leaders should be tasked to remove the misperception pertaining to governance, and help the government in propagating the positive aspect of governance.” Beigh said, hoping the party regains the popularity it enjoyed during the times of Mufti led government in 2002, but he quickly added that the present government was way behind the previous 2002 Mufti Government viz a viz governance and popularity.
    “We were a unit then, we too had different opinions but our difference if any, never went to public or had any adverse effect on the governance and our delivery. We would work as a team which is, I think missing in this regime.” Stressed Beigh, who was the key figure in then cabinet. when asked what went wrong this time, the parliamentarian said, that barring a few, they are all ‘first time’ ministers who do not have so much of experience, but according to Beigh what has made the things worse was the ‘ infighting’ in the Party and the sad demise of Mufti Muhammad Syed.
    “Even Mehbooba Mufti had never been in Cabinet before and no matter how intelligent you are, delivery is something different.” He added.
    “I understand, Mehbooba Mufti was hugely upset emotionally due to loss of Mufti Sahab, as he was not her father only but a good friend too. But what pains me, that none of the ministers took the responsibility to advice her about the governance during that period, and that this where we lost the plot.” Said the former Deputy Chief Minster. He added that Mehbooba was left alone to fight not only the emotional battle within her but also the circumstances that emerged due to turmoil soon after she took the reins.
    When asked why didn’t he come forward and help Mehbooba come out of the crises, Beigh hinted that he had already been sidelined and there was nothing for him to offer.
    “ I am in Parliament.. Can’t interfere in governance. I can only give suggestions which I am doing occasionally.” Said Beigh, adding that during his address to electoral college also, he argued that People would judge PDP on the basis of its ‘political agenda’ and ‘performance’ and asked every party leader to peep into his own heart and reply to his conscious whether we have fulfilled our promises on both fronts.?
    “PDP was formed to seek resolution of Kashmir Issue. But in contrast we hear statements of various parties and leaders of other parties like BJP on abolition of Article 370, 35-A. how is this going to help.?”
    Beigh however said that the PDP’s self rule now looked like an ‘obsolete’ document as the idea was never going to be possible unless Hurriyat and Pakistan accepted it.
    “Some Congress leaders during PDP-Congress government sabotaged the self rule proposal and stopped Dr. Manmohan Singh from working on it. Dr. Singh had begun working on it, but some Congress leaders in New Delhi didn’t allow him.” revealed Beigh, adding that it was unlikely that Self rule would be a successful viable option unless Hurriyat and Pakistan supports it. He stressed that Hurriyat must be taken on board to ensure any progress in the dialogue process. When asked why the PDP did not stress for the implementation of Agenda of Alliance with BJP, Beigh revealed that he had no idea what the two parties had agreed upon before entering into alliance.
    “ I was completely sidelined. On Dec.28th 2014, Mufti Sahab in the presence of Mehbooba Ji had told me to get document prepared for my preliminary negotiations with BJP. On January 1st 2015, I was told by Mehbooba Ji that I should stay back and some other person had been chosen to speak to BJP. I don’t know why they did so, but yes I was sidelined, therefore I do not have any knowledge about the terms and conditions of the engagement with BJP.
    However, what I know surely is that prior to alliance with Congress in 2002, I had worked tirelessly to get the agreement documented. The alliance with Congress was successful and impactful because we had made then Prime Minster Dr. Manmohan Singh along with some senior Congress leaders to sign on the CMP, which unfortunately is missing this time.” Said the parliamentarian. He added, that when he was first told that he would speak to BJP on behalf of the party, he had an idea that he would put forth his demands followed by a request of a direct meeting between Prime Minster Narendra Modi, BJP President Amit Shah and Mufti Mohammad Syed and Mehbooba Mufti. Beigh, however regretted that nothing of that sort happened and everything went down the drain.
    He pointed out that the real problem of alliance is that Late Mufti Mohammad Syed and Mehbooba Mufti did not personally negotiate the terms of alliance with Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. There was no understanding at the top. Infact this problem this problem was further complicated as there was no meeting between the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then Chief Minster Mufti Mohammad Syed during the nine months that Mufti was in Chair. In the absence of such meeting and interaction between the Prime Minister and then Chief Minster, and therefore no awareness and appreciation of each other’s stand relating to nature of Kashmir Problem. Beigh said that during his speech before the electoral college, he requested Mehbooba to try to undo that failure by trying to convince the leaders like Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and other leaders of BJP that Article 370 and 35_A, are not only beneficial for the people of Jammu as well as Kashmir, but are not at all harmful for the interest of nation. He hoped that Mehbooba will take the suggestions seriously ,otherwise “ Our” Opponents and the people at large will conclude that PDP was and is interested only in getting some power and not in addressing the basic issue of our state which has resulted in addressing the basic issue  of our state which has resulted in the death of many thousands of youth and , young men and security personale , a situation that is becoming worse day by day .He however, expressed satisfaction that during the last some months, killing of civilians , firing of pellets and stone pelting incidents have diminished. He said that the need of the hour is to consolidate this temporary peace into a permanent solution.
    Regarding his stand on Bureaucracy, the PDP leader said, “My view that Kashmiri officers should not be sidelined is not based on Communal considerations, but in utilitarian considerations. The local officers know the ground situation better than the Non local officers, who are also competent but do not know the ground reality.”
    Muzaffer Beigh also said that a certain section of Jammu based Muslims particularly Gujjars are feeling “insecure” and there is a need to restore their confidence. He however, said that a great alliance with BJP has been that on various occasions, when there was threat of communal riots, but that didn’t happen because of BJP. He added, that a great backlash would have happened when Amaranth Yatris were killed in valley, but BJP co trolled it. Beigh further told Kashmir Magazine that “We must thank BJP for the role, they played including the Union Home Minster to ensure that no anti-Muslim Communal riots take place.
    Courtesy: Kashmir Magazine

  • Kashmiri BJP Leader Flays Kohli For Honeymoon Destination

    “There is no issue that he has got married in abroad, it is his choice but for a honeymoon the most beautiful place which is called ‘Heaven on Earth’ is Kashmir.”

    Srinagar: A Kashmiri BJP leader has questioned Indian cricketer Virat Kohli and actress Anushka Sharma’s honeymoon destination choice.

    Rafiq Wani, a BJP leader from Anantnag, said that “We have such a huge country of 125 crores citizen. If he wanted to get married he could have got married here.”

    “There is no issue that he has got married in abroad, it is his choice, but for a honeymoon the most beautiful place which is called ‘Heaven on Earth’ is Kashmir. So they should have had their honeymoon here. Then our tourism would have also got a boost,” Wani said.

    Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma got married at a private ceremony in Tuscany, Italy, last week.

    Congress leader Randeep Surjewala later took a swipe at the BJP, saying young men and women should seek approval of the saffron party before getting married or deciding on the venue.

    Out-of-favour India opener Gautam Gambhir today said politicians shouldn’t meddle into personal affairs of anyone, a day after national cricket team captain Virat Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma were criticised by a BJP MLA for marrying in Italy.

    Reacting on the issue, Gambhir asked politicians to refrain from commenting on anyone’s personal life.

    “It is completely their personal matter and choice and nobody should comment on this. Politicians should be more careful while making such comments,” Gambhir told ‘Timesnow’ channel.

    Gambhir’s remarks came a day after a BJP legislator in Madhya Pradesh, Pannalal questioned the patriotism of Kohli and Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma for not getting married in India.

  • ‘I Broke The Back Of Militancy In J&K’

    In our brutalised society, when we think of a cop, we conjure up an image of a cynical, aggressive, suspicious and conservative person. Sporting short hair, strict facial expression and a well-decorated uniform, Ashkoor Wani, Inspector General of Police, CIV, in a conversation with Ajaz Rashid Kashmir Scan, shares some memorable ‘lighter’ moments from his life and career.

    KS) Where were you born? What are your earliest memories from childhood?  

    AW) I was born and my upbringing took place in a far-flung village named Dugnoo of Kathua district. The village even today has no roads and no transport facility but the electricity has recently been provided to the area. During my childhood, we had only one school in our village and that too was up to 5th I used to walk ten kilometres every day to reach the higher secondary school in Bilawar.

    After completing graduation from Kathua College, I did M.A Economics from Jammu University. In my entire village, I was the first student to reach the level of matriculation and so was the first government employee of my time. I had limited desires which a common middle-class person can think of. To become a high-ranked police officer was never in my mind but it was perhaps written in destiny for me.

    During my education, I had aimed to become a teacher or the highest I could think was a college professor. It was my luck that in 1981, I appeared for civil services exam and got selected for Kashmir Police Services in 1982.

    KS) After becoming a police officer, what kind of lifestyle changes you had to make? Was it tougher?AW) After joining the police academy, I stepped into a new world with strict rules, discipline and hierarchy. In my initial professional career, I was discouraged by other batch mates who mostly belonged to well settled and educated families. At the academy, I thought I would always be an average police officer but later on, I realised that only hard work and dedication towards your profession can give you success.

    KS) So you think hard-work always pays?

     AW) I am the officer who during my tenure got the fastest promotion of SSP in just nine months and that was only because of my hard work and better performance.

    KS) Who has inspired you the most in your career as a police officer?

     AW) I was hugely inspired by senior officers and the most I liked were two IPS officers of 1984 batch namely K Ilangoo and K Rajindra. I learnt a lot from them. During my tenure, I was posted in various areas of J&K and there is not a single one which he didn’t enjoy. I was never after any prime posting and liked everything whatever I was assigned with. I have enjoyed every bot of it, whether it was a prime one or any ordinary positing

    KS) Do you think you have achieved what you aspired for?

    AW) Though I am not a daydreamer or ambitious, I got everything whatever I desired, by the grace of Allah. During my police career, I desired to be a successful police officer and I can say that Ashkoor Wani is being counted as one of the best police officers of the state.

    KS) What has been your role in tackling insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir?

    AW) As far as militancy is considered, as SP Operation, I have played a vital role in eliminating militants and their commanders. My tenure as SP was during the peak of militancy of 90s which was a greater challenge for me as a police officer. Though I got death threats and was a prime target for militants, I, without caring, succeeded in eliminating some of the top commanders including Hizbul Mujahidin Deputy Supreme Commander Mohd Yousuf alias Naseebu Din Gazi.

    SOG and STF have played a great role in breaking the morale of militancy during 90’s. I still remember that one of the dreaded militant, Ghulam Rasool Shah alias General Abdullah of Haihama, Kupwara, presently in Pakistan, has authored a book in which he has written a chapter titled ‘Ashkoor Wani Jallad’ (Ashkoor Wani an Executioner).

    Though Ashkoor is a tough police officer in the field, but at the same time, he is as common at home and in social circles as we all are. I am altogether different outside the office, especially at home. I love to help family members during work, even in domestic work.

    KS) Tell us about your hobbies?

    AW) I love to spend time at my dairy farm and vegetable garden. I am not good at cooking but I am good in making Makki ki Roti (corn chappatis). Though I don’t have many hobbies but golf is an addiction. Besides golf, after my retirement, I would like to visit Europe and other beautiful countries with my family.

    During 35 years of police service, I have seen various phases of Kashmir conflict. I have seen the worst phase of militancy, some normalcy, a new phase of militancy and the recent uncontrollable law and order situation.

    KS) What is your message to the people of J&K?

    AW) As an officer, I want to convey a message of religious brotherhood to the people of J&K. We are the largest democracy in the world and so is in our state. We are free to practice any religion, custom, tradition and, most of all, our lifestyle. This kind of life is not easy in Pakistan or any other Muslim country. We should not get indulged in regional differences or religious differences. Doing this, we are deteriorating our future.

    Courtesy: Kashmir Scan

  • OIC Gathers for Jerusalem Today, Most Arab Leaders to Stay Away

    Istanbul: High-level representatives, including some heads of states from the 57-member Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), will come together on Dec. 13 in Istanbul at a summit to consider a joint stance against United States’ recent recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

    Turkey, as the term president of the OIC, will host leaders from Muslim-majority countries on Dec. 13, with a joint position of Muslim countries to be announced under the title of the Istanbul Declaration.

    The move comes after U.S. President Donald Trump instructed the State Department to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, in line with the 1995-dated Jerusalem Embassy Act.

    Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will preside over the OIC meeting in Istanbul and will address the opening and closing ceremonies of the summit.

    Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Jordanian King Abdullah II, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, Bangladeshi President Abdoul Hamid and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani are among 22 heads of state and government who will be present at the summit.

    Some 25 foreign ministers will also be represented, including Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco and Kazakhstan. Saudi Arabia will be represented by Islamic Affairs Minister Salih bin Abdulaziz al-Shaikh.

    In the morning session, the foreign ministers of the OIC counties will come together to discuss recent developments before giving the floor to the presidents and head of states and governments.

    Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu told private broadcaster NTV on Nov. 12 that some Arab countries have failed to sufficiently repudiate Washington’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s undivided capital because U.S. President Donald Trump “scares them.”

    “It seems that some Arab countries refrain from challenging Trump,” Çavuşoğlu said.

    However, he promised that a “strong statement” on Jerusalem would emerge from the OIC extraordinary summit in Istanbul on Dec. 13.

    ‘Strong Message To Be Issued’

    “A very strong message will be delivered from the summit,” Çavuşoğlu said, adding that this message will stress that the decision taken by the U.S. unilaterally breaches international law, and will call all nations to stand against it while also calling nations to recognize the State of Palestine.

    “If we don’t defend Jerusalem today, when will we defend it? If we don’t defend Jerusalem, one of the three most sacred places of Islam, what will we defend?” he stated, hinting that the text would cite East Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Palestine with pre-1967 borders.

    At the end of the 1948 war the armistice line divided Jerusalem in two: The Israel-controlled Western part, and the Jordan-controlled eastern part, which included the old walled city containing important Jewish, Muslim and Christian religious sites. Since the Six Day War in 1967 the whole city has been under Israel’s control.

    OIC leaders will conclude ongoing talks over the technical details of the declaration on Dec. 13.

  • An open letter to all the Muslim Clerics of the World

    By Javeed Ali

    Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh!

    I am writing this letter from the valley of Kashmir and I hope this message goes to all the Muslim clerics of the world who have been enjoined a sublime job of leading and preaching the Muslim Ummah.

    I am not a religious scholar or a political activist. You are more aware about the religion and world happenings than me. I am just writing this letter with an intention to request you to use your deep and profound knowledge for the better cause of Muslim Ummah and for the liberation of the blessed land of Palestine which belongs to Palestinians not to Zionist occupiers.

    We are living in times where your mere ‘slip of tongue’ reaches even to the person sitting millions of miles away from you. So your selection of words can make or mar the Muslim Ummah. You have your share of followers. They listen to your lectures and sermons with the belief that you are guiding them on the right path. So their bright future prospects lies on your guardianship if it is in line with the teachings of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and Holy Quran.

    Its crystal clear that you have a huge responsibility on your shoulders to take the Muslim Ummah on the path of righteousness and salvation. You should stop preaching the British Shiasm and American Sunnism which is funded and backed by MI6, CIA and Mossad on the pulpit of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). This pulpit is not to serve the interests of America and Israel but for the Wahdat (unity) of Muslim Ummah.  

    Holy Quran, the final revelation to mankind, has quite emphatically and unambiguously stressed the importance of unity and peaceful co-existence. “And hold fast by the covenant of Allah all together and be not divided” (Surah Aali Imran, Verse No. 103). When the Holy Quran lays such strong emphasis on unity, how can those creating discord and spreading venom claim to be the true followers of Islam?

    We have got trapped in a distressing situation now. Very frequently we see different clerics challenging other clerics for a Munazira (discussion) on trivial issues through social media. Our enemies are making plots against Islam and Islamic countries and we are wasting time on cursing each other.

    The fault with us is that we listen more to that cleric who divides us than the one who unites us. For instance, Yasser Habib who is a paid agent in Shia attire and is fully backed by MI6 in UK. He always spits venom against the Sunni brethren and the same stuff is circulated through social media and is used by the clerics in Sunni attire backed by CIA to foment hatred against the Shia brethren.

    You are aware about the recent irresponsible and unjustified statement of US President Donald Trump. His unrealistic dream of recognizing Jerusalem as capital of Israel and moving the US embassy to Jerusalem has come at a time when there are reports of some Arab countries are hand in glove with them like Saudi Arabia. They will release some statements of condemnation just to hoodwink the Muslim Ummah. But you have to aware the Muslim Ummah  that the rulers can sell their faith to America and Israel but we have to stay steadfast on our right path. We have to utilize all our available resources for the liberation of holy land of Palestine and Quds from the illegal occupation of Zionist forces. Palestine belongs to Palestinians and Inshallah it will be free very soon as predicted by Imam Khamenei.

    You might be knowing  that there was no mention of Jerusalem or Palestine in the Friday sermons at Makkah and Medina aftermath the Trump’s statement.  

    The first thing in the pursuit of Palestinian cause is to force your respective countries to shut the US and Israeli embassies in your countries. Moreover, you should persuade the heads of your respective countries to call back the respective ambassadors from America and Israel and you can play a pivotal role in pursuing your followers why it is important to snap all ties with America and Israel. For the liberation of Palestine, everyone has to sacrifice like Iranian wrestler Alireza Karimi who refused to compete with Zionist contender at Under-23 Wrestling World Championship in Poland.  

    Mere statements won’t achieve anything for the Palestinian cause. Islamic countries need to take pragmatic steps now. Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan makes beautiful statements but he needs to deliver beautifully on the ground. He needs to close down the embassies of America and Israel in his country and call back his ambassadors from America and Israel. Other Muslim countries should follow the suit.

    Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said, “ If Saudi Arabia, our neighbouring country, stops bombing Yemen from tomorrow and stand up against Israel and relies on its own people, we do not see any barriers in front of improving our relations with them for the Palestinian cause.”

    I urge Saudi regime to grab that opportunity as relying on America and Israel will achieve nothing for them. They will only use you as long as they need you and once they will attain their ulterior motives then they will dump you.

    We hope and wish that 41-Muslim Countries Islamic Military Alliance led by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman will back and support Hezbollah and Hamas for the liberation of Palestine and if not then we have every reason to believe that this alliance was made to serve the interests of America and Israel and not for the Islam.

    Let me conclude with the wish and prayers that our religious scholars and clerics will use the pulpit of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) for the just cause of Palestine and not for cursing fellow Muslims.

    May Allah Almighty bless you all.

    -The author is a freelance writer and can be reached at [email protected].

     

     

     

  • Even though Islam gives rights to transgender people, they are oppressed: Kashmir scholar Aijaz Bund

    Aijaz Bund, the author of the first ethnographic study of the Valley’s transgender people, explains why discrimination against them is endemic.

    Even though Islam gives rights to transgender people, they are oppressed: Kashmir scholar Aijaz Bund
    Transgenders Abdul Rashid, left, and Shabnam Subhan at the book launch | Photo Credit: Aijaz Bund

    The government thinks there are only males and females in Kashmir, Shabnam Subhan, a transgender Kashmiri, told a gathering of academics, journalists and civil society figures in Srinagar. “No one cares about us, as if we don’t exist,” he said.

    Transgender Kashmiris speaking publicly about the discrimination they face is rare in the Valley. But on November 30, a group of them addressed a gathering at a book launch organised by the Kashmir Women’s Collective. Hijras of Kashmir – A Marginalized Form of Personhood has been touted as the first ethnographic study of the transgender community in the Valley, based on interviews by Kashmir University scholar Aijaz Ahmad Bund.

    Bund is an uncommon Kashmiri who describes himself as an LGBTQ rights activist. He spoke to Scroll.in about the difficulty getting his book published, the Valley’s taboos about sexuality and the struggles transgender people face in the predominantly Muslim society. Excerpts from the interview:

     
     

    Has there ever been a study of the transgender community in Kashmir before
    Even in history there is no mention of their existence. This is the first study of its kind, and I had previously done a small empirical study for a journal. These are the only two. Academia has completely ignored this community.

    At the book launch, you mentioned that the publisher was apprehensive about “unwanted content”. What content was that?
    The publisher is very apprehensive about reactions to some things in the book, such as hijra sexuality and sex work. They wanted me to compromise on these, which I refused. I said if the book is to be published, it will be as it is. Eventually, the publishers consulted someone and agreed.

    Why would they think talking about sexuality was problematic?
    Because they think it is attacking the larger discourse of Islam. The problem is the society pretends transgender people are invisible, therefore it denies their existence. But they have a well-established sexuality and ways of expressing it.

    They have relationships that are not only physical but sexual. They claim it is spiritual because it’s not just about sex but emotions as well. But the society is not ready to accept their sexuality.

    Why is the society not ready to accept their way of life?
    Ours is an inclusive movement. We are talking about only not transgender people but also lesbians, gays and bisexuals. But when we talk about LGBTs, religion comes in. And with religion, you know that killing or going to any extent is easy because you can rationalise it.

    When it comes to sexuality, most people have a knee-jerk reaction. Are we in a position to talk about sex openly? Do we talk about it at home? No. Because we consider sex a taboo. When it comes to homosexuality, “tauba, tauba” is the response. It doesn’t exist.

    What is Islam’s position on transgender people?
    Islam is accepting of the gender and it talks about the rights of the transgender people. They are mentioned in the Quran in Surah Al Shura verse 49-50. They have their rights. The problem is people are using distorted information as a tool to oppress these people in the name of Islam. Transgenders have property rights.

    According to the Islamic law, a sister’s share in the property is less than her brother’s. What is the share fixed for a transgender person?
    It depends on the jurist. If the transgender person is more feminine, she would be entitled to a female’s equivalent of the share and a male’s equivalent if he is more masculine.

    Is the situation of transgender people in Kashmir different from their communities elsewhere?
    They have greater social acceptability in Jammu although they are ostracised there as well. There, because of their connection to Hindu mythology, they are called to confer blessings, which gives them social acceptability. Hijra gharanas outside the Valley are organised. The guru-disciple system exists here as well but it is not as organised.

    Do you see common patterns in the lives of Kashmiri transgender people?
    Most transgenders migrate from rural areas to the city. The spaces where they can actually vent their feelings are not available in villages, which are more conservative. In the city, they can at least be associated with each other and no one will know.

    At home, they are accused of bringing disgrace to their families. In some instances, they are allowed to stay at home but with conditions. Most of them say they wanted to cross-dress but the society wouldn’t allow it. Abuse often starts at home.

    When does the abuse begin?
    At the age of five or six (when the transgender identity becomes apparent). Initially, family members dismiss it as childish silliness, but when the child reaches prepubescent age, they are told to behave like a boy or a girl. Then it starts. Verbal first, then physical. In the meantime, there is often sexual abuse as well.

    If you ask someone how they perceive transgender people, you will hear they are aggressive and ill-mannered. That’s the general societal attitude.

    Do they have access to public healthcare?
    They don’t. They don’t have the resources for private consultations, and government hospitals are overcrowded. They fear they would be harassed in hospital waiting lounges; they would have to bear people laughing at them or spanking them. Many doctors have a transphobic attitude. They don’t even touch them, making them feel dirty, othered. Health professionals believe a transgender must have HIV or a venereal disease.

    What about access to public spaces and facilities?
    They are often not allowed to pray in mosques. Generally, mosques are a male space. When anyone tries to lay claim to that space, social restrictions follow. But you will see them at shrines because shrines also accept women.

    You won’t find them in exclusively male spaces. They are trying to get that space but unfortunately, because of societal attitudes, nothing is happening.

    In schools, they have no acceptance. They report physical, verbal and sexual abuse from peers but also from staff, teaching and non-teaching. Schools have no transgender welfare policy. Teachers and administrators aren’t sensitive either.

    We had a case of rape of a transgender child in a government school washroom some years ago. The child reported it to the administration, only to be told he was “behaving this way and inviting this kind of treatment from others”. He stopped going to school from the next day. It also happens that children report (abuse) at home and the families say there is no need to go to school. They drop out or are removed from school early on, leaving them without a chance to get white collar jobs.

    Why has the transgender community in Kashmir been ignored to this extent?
    The conflict has overshadowed all social issues. Besides, people hardly talk about these things in conservative societies. If you do, people say there are more pressing issues and this is not a problem.

    Why did you choose to work with transgender people?
    I found people talking about the rights of women and others but no one was talking about transgenders. They are human beings with worth and dignity, and they are suffering. In the larger human rights paradigm, if you are talking about the rights of people and a gender-inclusive society, it won’t be possible if you are segregating people.

    My aim is to work for a gender-inclusive, sexual minority-inclusive society. Human rights are for everyone. This book is part of a movement that was started in 2011 and which is still going on.

    What were the difficulties you faced while doing this study?
    Working with them is very challenging because the first question you get is, “Why?”. Not from members of the transgender community, but from other people. They accuse us of having an agenda – Western agenda, Zionist agenda, etc.

    While I was writing this book, I was also studying for my PhD and had limited resources. They are also a busy people; they must struggle through the day so they can eat in the evening.

    When the book was finally written, there was no money to hire an editor. So, the book isn’t edited. There will be typos and repetitions but that is alright because I just wanted to tell their stories even if in broken English.

    How has working with transgender people affected you personally?
    Initially, I was scared that people might think I was a transgender. That hardly matters now. Associating with transgender people made me more comfortable with myself. I started recognising my feminine side, which every man has, and also started taming it. It was important as it made me human. Thinking about gender beyond the heteronormative discourse of masculine and feminine was a new thing for me.

    How did you become an LGBTQ activist in Kashmir?
    Every society, no matter how conservative, has [sexual minorities]. I won’t say they don’t exist for me because they don’t fit in with my faith. Our endeavours are beyond the scope of religion or social constructs. We respect societal values but we also know when a person comes to us, we don’t see them as gay, lesbian or transgender but as a person with a problem.

    We don’t propagate or promote it but we support it. If there are people who identify themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, asexual or whatever else, they are people first. It is about their right to live. If we help them accept themselves, what is wrong with that?

    There is an Islamist section of the society which deems even government employees in Kashmir non-Muslim.
    That is absolutely correct.

    Is this conservatism worrying for the future of the transgender community?
    Leave aside the community, it is difficult even for people like us who are trying to give voice to a voiceless community. We too want political freedom, but not the Islamist kind. In the end, everything is politicised. Islam is too. Everyone is using it for their own benefit.

  • Authorities Put On ‘High Alert’ After MeT Predicts Rain, Snow

    Srinagar: In view of weather forecast of heavy snow and rains, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti Saturday directed the divisional administration of Kashmir to be in a state of preparedness and responsive to any crisis thrown up by the inclement weather.

    The Chief Minister has directed all the concerned Departments like PDD, R&B, MED, ULB, PHE, Health and other Departments to gear up in view of the weather forecast and deploy their men and machinery on the ground beforehand.

    She said there should be no delay in snow clearance operations and, as soon as it starts to accumulate, snow clearance machines should be pressed into service so that people do not face any inconvenience. For this, she directed positioning of snow clearance machines at critical spots beforehand so that snow is cleared in a minimum time.

     Mehbooba directed the Srinagar Municipal Corporation and Urban LocalBodies to ensure that the interior roads and lanes in the city and major towns of the Valley are cleared of snow on priority and water logged as a result of snow or rains is drained out quickly.

    She also directed the PDD authorities to ensure replacement of damaged infrastructure with speed and also put all resources at their command to ensure that minimum cuts are resorted to while supplying electricity to consumers.

    Mehbooba Mufti also directed the management of  SKIMS and SMHS hospitals to have sufficient stocks of medicine available with them and also at all the district, secondary and tertiary care hospitals besides all the requisite doctors and paramedical staff are deployed at their respective places of working.

    The Chief Minister has also directed the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu to put similar measures in place in the areas in the region where heavy rains and snow have been predicted.

    Expect Heavy Snowfall From Monday

    The Kashmir Valley is bracing up for possible heavy snowfall from early next week. The Met Department has said a western disturbance would affect the state from December 11.Cold wave continued in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir.

    In Ladakh region, Leh was the coldest recorded place in the state. The mercury settled at -13 degrees Celsius. Kargil recorded a low of -8.4 degrees Celsius respectively.

    Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded a low of -0.2 degree Celsius. Gulmarg, the famous ski-resort in north Kashmir, recorded a low of zero degrees Celsius.

    The other famous resort of Pahalgam registered a minimum temperature of -1.5 degrees Celsius.

  • Israeli man’s selfies at Masjid-e-Nabwi spark outrage on social media

    Medina: Social media erupted in anger at images of an Israeli citizen who took photos of himself in the Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) Mosque in Madina (Masjid-e-Nabwi).

    BBC reports that Russian born Ben Tzion has a history of posting images at religious locations across the Middle East, from Iran to Jordan. The image of him inside Masjid-e-Nabwi was posted on his Facebook page.

    In a Facebook post, he wrote: “People of Saudi Arabia would stand with the Jewish nation side by side”. “Peace in the Middle East with respect and love towards each other”, another of his posts stated.

    In an interview with an Israeli newspaper, he referred to his penchant for visiting Muslim countries as “a hobby” and reiterated his “respect for other cultures and faiths”.

    While non-Muslims are banned from entering the city of Makkah, religious sites in Madina are open to the public, Tzion has stressed. Tzion, who is a citizen of both Russia and Israel, did not disclose which passport he travelled with but stressed that he has always travelled legally and with the appropriate paperwork.

    “No-one in the Arab world ever approached me with hostility,” he said. “They tell me they love Israel and the Jewish people.”

    However, the backlash against the images of Tzion at Masjid-e-Nabwi has prompted an Arabic hashtag, “A Zionist at the Prophet’s Mosque” to go viral in the last space of 24 hours. Commentators expressed their frustration at seeing such images.

    The negative backlash by social media users on his images also prompted Instagram to delete Tzion’s account. According to the BBC, this controversy has emerged at a time when relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia are improving on the back of similar strategic concerns regarding Iran. The head of the Israeli army, Major-General Gadi Eizenkot has said that Israel as willing to share “intelligence information” with Saudi Arabia.