HELD SRINAGAR: Residents in Indian-held Kashmir donated cash and precious metals on Monday to support Iranians affected by the Middle East war, while volunteers said some people also offered sheep or goats.
Muslim-majority Kashmir, which has a significant Shia population, shares long-standing cultural and religious ties with Iran.
The Iranian embassy in New Delhi has shared several videos of Kashmiris donating to help them, and issued bank details where cash donations can be paid. “We will never forget your kindness and humanity,” it said Sunday on its social media account. “Thank you, India.”
Iranian scholars are widely credited with helping introduce Islam to the Himalayan region centuries ago.
Earlier this month, thousands of Kashmiris waved red, black and yellow flags during demonstrations following joint strikes by the United States and Israel that killed Iran’s Ali Khamenei. “Not only Shias, but also the Sunni community is contributing...this reflects our unity and how we continue to stand with our brothers in Iran,” said 29-year-old student Aiman Zehra.
“Iran may be an Islamic republic, but that’s not the only reason we are helping them,” she added. “When Palestinians needed aid, it was Iran that stood up to provide them with it.”
Piles of Indian rupee banknotes were laid out on sheets, alongside gold jewellery, and copper and silver tea pots. Volunteers said that others had brought their livestock. “Our aim is to show our solidarity with Iranians,” said Afshana Khan, aged 30.
“We can contribute with whatever little we can afford, by way of donating gold, copper vessels and money,” she added. “Some people who don’t have any of these things, they are contributing their domestic livestock.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has close ties to Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, but New Delhi has sought to be neutral in the war.
