Muslim neighbours help to perform last rites of Kashmiri Pandit in Ganderbal’s Wakura

Ganderbal, Jul 28: Displaying the age-old communal harmony in Kashmir, Muslim residents in Wakura village of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district helped in performing the last rites of a Kashmiri Pandit man, who passed away on Monday.

Surinder Kaul was among a few families from his community living in the area.

The last rites of the deceased, fondly called Sahab Ji, were performed with the help of local Muslims, who mourned his death as one of their own. He was cremated in Wakura area. “The deceased was a great human being who would visit Muslims on the occasion of festivals and also whenever anyone among the Muslim community passed away.

He was part and parcel of the composite culture and today, it is our duty to return the favour by ensuring his last rites are performed as per their religious rites,” Mohd Yousuf, a local resident said.

Locals said that they share a good bond with the Kashmiri Pandits living in the area. “Today the Muslims also shouldered Sahab Ji’s coffin and arranged for wood for his cremation, adding that “we feel we have lost one of our own. He was just like the elder brother and I used to take suggestions from him on many times”, Bilal Ahmad a local resident said. “ We have shared joys and sorrows with him and we feel like our own family member has passed today, adding that To help our neighbors irrespective of their religion is our duty which we performed,” said Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar , former MLA Ganderbal who attended the last rites of the deceased Pandit.