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18 October 2004
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Monday
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03 Ramazan 1425
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Kashmir leaders ready to promote reconciliation
SRINAGAR, Oct 17: With a ceasefire holding on the Kashmiri borders and India and Pakistan still on track with their latest peace initiative
, Muslim religious leaders in Indian held Kashmir say they are ready to preach reconciliation during the holy month of Ramazan.
Kashmir's chief Muslim cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said the Ramazan period was the right moment for spreading the message of peace since devotees fill mosques and shrines and spend a large part of the day in prayer and fasting.
"I would certainly... tell the people how we can bring peace in our lives even if the various parties involved in the conflict do not cease their hostilities," he said.
"After all, Ramazan itself is the month of peace, salvation and to seek forgiveness," he added.
Farooq, head of the moderate faction of Kashmir's main separatist alliance, said he planned to give at least one religious sermon focused on peace and reconciliation every day at mosques and other places of worship during Ramazan.
A number of Kashmiri political figures, including Chief Minister Mufti Muhammed Sayeed, have urged the Indian security forces and Muslim fighters to enter into a ceasefire to mark Ramazan.
"I want to see that peace has reached every single Kashmiri home. Try to listen to the heartbeats of the people who have developed a stake in peace," Sayeed said.
Neither side has signalled its willingness to agree to the proposal, although on a positive note analysts point out thatso far no separatist group has threatened to intensify its attacks during the holy month.
Usually, the period is marked by stepped-up violence as freedom fighters believe those who die fighting during Ramazan gain extra heavenly rewards.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Muhammed Yusuf Tarigami said he was hoping militants and security forces would show restraint during the fasting month.
Various social and religious organizations are planning to raise funds during Ramazan to help nearly 20,000 Kashmiri widows whose husbands have died in the uprising.-AFP
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