Why Does the Palestinian Cause Resonate With Kashmiri Muslims?

For decades, thousands of Kashmiris have taken part in the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, held on November 29, annually, since 1978.

This significant date is commemorated by Kashmiri students, activists, and politicians who come together to hold marches or vigils, demonstrating their support for the principle of a two-state solution.

Sputnik India explores the reasons behind Kashmiri support for the Palestinians and sheds light on the various methods through which they are expressing this solidarity.

Kashmiris Dedicate Friday Prayers to Gazans

Since Israel began bombing the Gaza Strip in response to attacks by Hamas militants, prayers for the Palestinians have been heard in Kashmiri mosques every Friday.

Friday prayers have traditionally been the optimal way the Kashmiri population shows solidarity with the Palestinians, besides demonstrations, street protests and strikes.

The Kashmiri populace, like the rest of India, has traditionally supported Palestine and held numerous anti-Israel and anti-United States protests in the past.

Muslim worshippers gather in mosques to unite in offering their congregational Friday prayers. These heartfelt gatherings are often accompanied by emotional pleas from clerics and preachers, who fervently pray for peace in Palestine. Moved by their words, teary-eyed worshippers join in, expressing their solidarity.

A Kashmiri distributes placards at the entrance of a mosque before a protest against Israel's military operations in Gaza, in Budgham, northeast of Srinagar

Why Kashmiris Stand With the Palestinian People

According to Kashmir-based historians, the first concrete show of solidarity by Kashmiris towards Palestine was in 1969 following an arson attack on the Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem committed by an Australian citizen, Denis Michael Rohan, who turned out to be a Christian volunteer for a kibbutz.

"It was the first time that violent protests took place in Kashmir. Some churches were also burnt by locals while as tourists in the region were also beaten. Although there was no causalit[ies]. It was perhaps the feeling that [the] Al Aqsa mosque will be destroyed that made Kashmiris insecure and angry," said the historian.

According to another regional expert, the Iranian revolution was followed by Ayatollah Khomeini's appeal to designate the last day of the holy month of Ramadan as International Quds Day, an annual event that supports the Palestinian cause.

"As a result more and more people got sensitized to the issue. Muslims used to pray and bow in the direction of [the] Al Aqsa mosque before Holy Kaaba. Muslims also believe the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven from the Aqsa mosque. So naturally, Palestine is a very emotive issue for Kashmir," the historian added.

Kashmiris pray for Palestinians killed in Israel's military operations in Gaza

There is also a political aspect to Kashmir's support for Palestine.

“The support for Palestinian right[s] to a state goes back decades. Because of the wrongs done to Kashmiris, we identify with the pain of [the] Palestinians,” said Mehdi.

Support for the Palestinian people is found in Kashmir across political ideologies and differences. Most of the regional political parties have issued statements condemning Israel's actions against Gaza.

Former state chief and president of Peoples Democratic Party Mehbooba Mufti led a protest against Israeli aggression last month. She called out the global community for the hypocrisy of conveniently talking about Ukraine while ignoring Gaza.

"There is oppression in Palestine, supply of food, water and medicines has been stopped, and people are being bombarded. Israel is doing to Palestine what was done to the Jews in the holocaust and its consequences can be very grave in the coming times," Mehbooba had said.

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