The Legitimate Desk
Srinagar: In a significant development, the separatists on Monday said that they welcome all the tourists and yatris visiting Kashmir.
The statement of the resistance camp has come as a surprise for many since in past they had accused them of promoting social waywardness and immorality in the Muslim dominating region.
“From centuries Kashmiris have been providing exemplary hospitality and safety to tourists and Yatris from world including India as we have been taught hospitality, humanity and safeguarding the rights of guests by our great religion,” the resistance leadership comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Muhammad Umer Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik said in a media statement today.
“Our religion (Islam) and the prophet of Islam (SAW) have taught us to be kind with our guests and serve them and safeguard their rights at every cost. This is also embedded in our Kashmiri culture and ethics and that is why our hospitality has been exemplary throughout the history,” it adds.
The leadership said that millions of tourists from the world including India have been visiting Kashmir, from centuries and enjoying the beauty of this “paradise on earth” and also the unparallel hospitality of its people.
They said that their history bears a witness that they as a nation have always stood firm with these ethics and teachings and we have always respected, safeguarded and served our guest during hardest of times and worst calamites.
The joint leadership said that in 2008 when “chauvinist forces” in Jammu blocked life saving drugs and baby-food to Kashmir, Kashmiris as a nation replied that tyranny with our exemplary hospitality to Yatris and tourists staying here.
“We not only safeguarded them and provided them shelter but also served them and kept the doors of our homes and localities open.
Joint leadership said that same was done during devastating floods of 2014 when we as a nation were shattered but looked after our guests with passion and zeal.
Welcoming everyone intending to visit Kashmir whole heartedly and warmly joint leadership said that everyone from the world including India is most welcome to visit Kashmir. We invite them to come to Kashmir and enjoy our hospitality and the beauty of paradise on earth,” the statement added.
While the substantial population of Kashmir is relying on tourism to sustain their economic needs, the statement has come very untimely with no more season left. The Kashmir has lost the season to the turmoil after on July 8 Hizb Commander Burhan Wani was killed followed by continues shutdown programmes by separatists.
