Srinagar, Aug 18 (JKNS): President All Jammu & Kashmir Shia Association, Molvi Imran Reza Ansari, has expressed heartfelt gratitude to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for their support, directions and cooperation in ensuring that the two-month period of Muharram and Safar concluded peacefully and largely incident-free across Jammu & Kashmir.
Molvi Imran Reza Ansari said the Association would particularly like to place on record its appreciation for Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Shri Anshul Garg, IAS, whose overall coordination and supervision played an important role in facilitating arrangements across the Valley.
The nodal-officer mechanism coordinated through the Divisional Commissioner’s office proved particularly useful in maintaining communication between the community and different departments.
He also thanked DC Srinagar Shri Akshay Labroo,DC Budgam Shri Athar Aamir Khan, DC Baramulla Shri Syeed Fakhrudin Hamid; and DC Bandipora Ms. Indu Kanwal Chib, along with their respective district administrations, for their continued support and accessibility.
Special appreciation was extended to the designated nodal officers: Mr. Adil Fareed and Mr. Fayaz Ahmad in Srinagar; Mr. Mehraj-ud-Din and Mr. Javid Ahmad in Budgam; Mr. Syed Altaf Hussain in Baramulla; Mr. Nazir Ahmad Mir, ADDC Bandipora; and Dr. Mohammad Maqbool Bhat, Deputy Director, the nodal officer from the Office of the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir. Molvi Imran said that their accessibility and regular coordination helped resolve several issues as they arose.
The President expressed his sincere gratitude to IGP Kashmir Shri V.K. Birdi, SSP Srinagar Shri G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy, SSP Budgam Shri Hariprasad K.K., SSP Baramulla Shri Gurinder Pal Singh, SSP Bandipora Shri Ajaz Zargar, SSP Traffic City Srinagar Shri Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, and SSP Security Kashmir Shri Sajad Khaliq Bhat, along with members of the CRPF, other Central Armed Police Forces, and security forces deployed in the region. Their respective teams remained engaged in ensuring security, traffic regulation, and facilitation throughout the mourning period.
He also thanked all DIGs, DSPs, SDPOs, SHOs and police personnel who remained on the ground throughout Muharram and Safar.
“Many of these officers and personnel are silent warriors. Their names may not appear in public acknowledgements, but they stood on the ground, often for long hours and in difficult conditions, to ensure that mourners could observe their Majalis and processions with dignity and security,” he said.
Molvi Imran Ansari also placed on record his appreciation for the Srinagar Municipal Corporation, particularly Commissioner Faz Lul Haseeb, Abul Qasim, Nuzhat Ji and the entire SMC team, for sanitation and civic arrangements.
He thanked Director Health Services Kashmir Dr. Jehangir Bakshi, the CMOs and ZMOs of Srinagar, Budgam, Baramulla and Bandipora, and their entire health teams for remaining prepared to meet medical requirements during the two months.
He also expressed gratitude to Deputy Director Fire & Emergency Services Aqib Mir and his team, as well as the teams of Jal Shakti, PHE, KPDCL, R&B, FCS & CA, Transport Department, Forest Department and other concerned departments, whose contribution helped facilitate the religious observances.
At the same time, Molvi Imran said the Association would be equally candid about the shortcomings.
“There were issues, and there is always room for improvement. Road conditions and repair work were a major concern this Muharram, although we understand that there were genuine constraints because of the prevailing geopolitical situation. Electricity-related issues were reported at some places, while traffic management around major mourning centres and procession routes requires more advance planning.”
He said these issues should be viewed as lessons for the future rather than criticism of the overall effort.
“Many things have been streamlined this year, and the coordination through the nodal officers has been good. What we need now is to institutionalise the things that worked and prepare better for the things that did not. If we begin planning well before Muharram like this year, many of these difficulties can be addressed in advance.”
Molvi Imran said that, ultimately, the peaceful conclusion of the two-month mourning period was what mattered most.
“In the service of Imam Hussain (AS), peace, patience, discipline and service must remain our guiding principles. Khidmat-e-Aza is not merely an arrangement; it is a responsibility. When a police officer stands on duty, a municipal worker keeps an area clean, a health worker remains ready for an emergency, or a volunteer helps a mourner, each of these acts becomes Khidmat. Allah sees every such effort.”
He expressed special gratitude to all the people across Kashmir for maintaining communal harmony and extending cooperation throughout Muharram and Safar, saying that the peaceful conclusion of the mourning period was a collective achievement and a reflection of Kashmir’s tradition of brotherhood.
The President also thanked every volunteer of the All Jammu & Kashmir Shia Association across the Valley.
“There are hundreds of people whose names I have not mentioned because it is impossible to name everyone. They are our silent warriors. From Imam Bargahs to procession routes, from Majlis points to community facilities, they worked quietly and without expecting recognition. Their reward is with Allah, and in the service of Imam Hussain (AS), that is the greatest reward.”
Molvi Imran Reza Ansari reiterated his gratitude to the Lieutenant Governor, Chief Minister, Divisional Commissioner, Deputy Commissioners, police administration, civil departments, field officers, volunteers and the people of Kashmir for their collective contribution towards ensuring that Muharram and Safar concluded peacefully and largely incident-free. (JKNS)
