Gautham Krishna
The author captures essence of Kashmir amidst Ramzan in 2021. His emotional intellect helps him blends into society and people seamlessly. The world survives for the people who never give up on goodness, even when it is scarce.
Kashmir is the land of communal harmony and it is the holy month of Ramzan when compassion and love is abundant and good-will is spread all around. I was wandering in one of the serene towns, laden with the golden rays of the dying sun, people absorbed in pietistic fervour. I stumbled upon a young boy, Junaid, who was returning from his evening prayers at a nearby mosque. He wished me “assalamualaikum”, with all humility and I reverted “walaikum assalam”. Inspite of me being a non-Muslim and a stranger, we struck a conversation as if we have known each other for quite some time. I asked him out of curiosity “what makes this month so important in your belief system”, He responded with a faint smile “Janaab, this is the holy month of Ramzan”.
Junaid further said that it is the commemoration of Muhammad’s first revelation and is one of the five pillars of islam. As I felt that he was not in a hurry to go, I like an inquisitive child asked him, “I’ve seen that you fast the whole day which is a kind of suffering, how does god want someone to do that?” He replied in all humility that Ramzan is a time of spiritual reflection, self- improvement and heightened devotion and worship. Fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly cravings and cleanse the soul. I felt moreover it is also a cleansing of the human body. Seeing my inquisitiveness for knowing about his religion, Junaid enlightened me, “Janaab, Ramzan teaches you self-discipline, self- control, sacrifice and empathy for those who areless fortunate. This is done by encouraging acts of generosity and compulsory charity which also known as “zakat ”. I was fascinated by the logical backing for the customs created to instill humanity in mankind. I remembered the large gatherings during the month of Ramzan where thousands were offered free meals.
Now, seeing his eagerness to talk about his faith, I asked Junaid, why do you think unrest still prevails in Kashmir as contrary to your faith. He replied with a sad countenance, no faith has taught mankind to do harm. We as Kashmiris have always preached communal harmony and communal co-existence was our pride. He elucidated it with the example of what Kashmir was once upon a time and how a composite culture built around the tenets of Hinduism, Sikhism, Islam and Buddhism thrived.
I felt a pinch in my heart hearing his visceral feelings and how much he yearned for that. To break the silence, he consoled me by these words, “janaab, there is nothing to be sad about as Kashmir will regain its lost glory and signs of transformation are visible everywhere. I am praying to the almighty every day to imbue benevolence and humaneness in the hearts where evil has penetrated and show the path of salvation. His words felt like a mellifluous melody to me. I, before bidding farewell to my dear new friend told him, “as long as people like you don’t lose hope in the goodness of humanity, no vile force can destroy this heaven on earth”.
Junaid gave me a pleasant smile and bid farewell “Khuda Hafiz”. From his gesture, I knew that he was already aware that my aphorism will hold true, just like Kashmiriyat, for years to come.
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