Srinagar, Aug 1 (JKNS): A grand mourning congregation (Majlis-e-Aza) was organized at Nowgam Sonawari on the 17th of Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1447 AH under the auspices of Jammu and Kashmir Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian to commemorate the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Ali al-Ridha (AS). Tens of thousands of mourners from different parts of the Kashmir Valley participated in the gathering with deep devotion and reverence.
Addressing the congregation at Imam Bargah Channa Mohalla, Nowgam, Hujjat-ul-Islam wal-Muslimeen Agha Syed Mujtaba Abbas Mosavi Al-Safvi said that the true purpose of Azadari is not merely to express grief and sorrow but to implement the teachings of Imam Hussain (AS) in individual and collective life. He stated that the supreme sacrifice of Imam Hussain (AS) preserved the religion of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) for all times, and that the tragedy of Karbala remains an eternal message of truth, justice, sacrifice, freedom, and steadfastness against oppression and tyranny.
He emphasized that genuine love for the Ahlul Bayt (AS) requires steadfast commitment to truth through righteous conduct, good deeds, and obedience to Allah. Referring to Ziyarat-e-Ashura as a comprehensive declaration of loyalty to the mission of Imam Hussain (AS) and dissociation from oppression and falsehood, he said that the message of Karbala should serve as a source of character-building, strengthening of faith, and preparation for the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (AJTF).
During his address, Agha Syed Mujtaba Abbas Mosavi Al-Safvi expressed profound grief over the brutal killing of two non-local labourers in the Devsar area of Kulgam district and strongly condemned the inhumane incident. He said that Islam accords the highest sanctity to human life and regards the killing of an innocent person as equivalent to killing all of humanity.
He stated that targeting innocent labourers who leave their homes in search of livelihood is not only a blatant violation of Islamic teachings but also contrary to human conscience, moral values, and civilized traditions. Such incidents, he said, must be condemned unequivocally by every responsible and civilized society.
Agha Syed Mujtaba Abbas Mosavi Al-Safvi further said that shedding innocent blood, irrespective of a person’s religion, ethnicity, language, or region, can never lead to peace, justice, or stability. Instead, it breeds fear, mistrust, and human suffering. He stressed that lasting peace, mutual respect, and shared progress in South Asia require abandoning the mindset of violence, revenge, and confrontation. Tolerance, reconciliation, meaningful dialogue, and constructive political and social engagement, he said, remain the only sustainable and civilized means of resolving differences.
He conveyed heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families and prayed for lasting peace and security in Jammu and Kashmir.
Agha Syed Mujtaba Abbas Mosavi Al-Safvi also stated that true followers awaiting Imam Mahdi (AJTF) are those who strive for self-reformation and make prayer, recitation of the Holy Quran, piety, Islamic ethics, and service to humanity an integral part of their lives. He urged parents, religious scholars, and educational institutions to nurture the younger generation in the light of the Holy Quran and the teachings of Ahlul Bayt (AS) so that a righteous, responsible, and morally upright society may be built.
Concluding his address, he prayed for unity in the Muslim Ummah, acceptance of the mourning gatherings, protection of the lives and property of believers, and the early reappearance of Imam Mahdi (AJTF). He urged the faithful to adopt the message of Karbala in their practical lives and contribute actively towards the promotion of justice, peace, brotherhood, and human dignity.
Following the congregation, a procession carrying the sacred Alam-e-Sharif commenced from Imam Bargah Channa Mohalla, Nowgam, and passed through designated routes before culminating at the historic Imambara Gund Nowgam. Mourners paid rich tributes to the martyrs and captives of Karbala through elegies and chest-beating rituals. Both the congregation and the procession concluded peacefully in a well-organized atmosphere marked by devotion and respect. (JKNS)
