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The Wire
06-07-2025
- Politics
- The Wire
A Hindu-Muslim Story of Betrayal, Healing, and Hope
Communalism In a world shaken by fear and fractured by hate, quiet acts of care endure. I find proof that humanity's heart beats stronger than its wounds. On May 22, 2025, terror tore through the Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, Kashmir, where attackers killed 26 civilian after allegedly demanding their religions. Among the fallen was one Muslim – a grim reminder that hatred, though perpetrated in the name of religion, spares no one. In Srinagar, the spring air grew heavy with grief, the valley's famed beauty dulled by the weight of mourning. For the first time in 35 years of conflict, Muslim voices rose from beneath the iconic Clock Tower in Lal Chowk, crying out: ' Kashmir se awaaz aayi… Hindu Muslim bhai bhai (A voice rises from Kashmir… Hindus and Muslims are brothers)." Yet, tragically, that voice echoed only within the bounds of the valley, unable to reach places where it was needed most. Amid this sorrow, my phone buzzed. It was Monika, a Hindu friend from Jammu I'd known for years. Her words pierced deeper than I expected: 'All you Muslims are terrorists who harbour and feed them.' Moments later, she blocked me, cutting off all contact. What I thought was an enduring friendship dissolved into silence. It felt like betrayal. But life has its way of stitching together what pain rips apart. As I wrestled with her words, a call came from Sushanta Bishal, a Hindu from West Bengal I had never met. " Bhaya, come to London. Stay with us," he urged. His brother Prashanta lives near IIT Kharagpur, where my son, Mehran, studies. Over time, Prashanta and his wife, Sunita, had embraced Mehran like their own – inviting him to birthdays, Durga Puja celebrations, and dinners. Their six-year-old daughter, Aavya – affectionately called 'Mother India' – refuses to eat if Mehran doesn't show up at least once a week. Two winters ago, Prashanta visited our Srinagar home bringing with him two more families we had never seen before. They skipped hotels, choosing instead to sleep on bedding spread across our drawing room – trusting us without hesitation. Sushanta's call rekindled my shelved dream of visiting London, delayed since December. Encouraged, I booked a roundtrip ticket and informed him of my arrival. Busy with work, he sent his brother-in-law, Surojit, to receive me at Heathrow. We visited a pilot friend, before taking the tube to Woodford Green, where Sushanta lives with his wife, Moumita, and mother-in-law, Smita. At the station, Sushanta greeted me with a warm embrace. Moumita bent to touch my feet, a gesture of respect that soothed the ache of Monika's rejection. Their home became a quiet refuge. But on my second night, news broke of India's military strike in response to the Pahalgam attack. The air grew tense. Still, Sushanta's family didn't waver. Smita, barely older than me, cared for me with maternal grace, undeterred by my Muslim identity. Back home, when missiles and drones were flying across the India-Pakistan border, Sushanta drove me around London – from the iconic bridge to the quiet English countryside. He read my articles and discussed them thoughtfully. Despite political differences, our disagreements only deepened our bond. Craving familiarity, I reached out to some Muslim friends in London, including a few Pakistanis I'd known since my first visit to the United Kingdom in 1998. But the conflict had hardened even them. One snapped, 'Don't compare me to Hindus,' after I jokingly said, 'The Hindus here are taking such good care of me – and I haven't even heard from you yet.' His words echoed Monika's prejudice, revealing how division poisons even the gentlest hearts. Weeks later, healing found its way back. Monika, after seeing my photos with Sushanta's family on social media, messaged me with regret: 'I was overwhelmed by disturbing WhatsApp messages and videos portraying Muslims as terrorists. I got caught up momentarily.' I realised instantly how 'WhatsApp University' – with its barrage of forwarded videos, memes, and half-truths – can poison even soft hearts like Monika's. In a gesture of reconciliation, she spoke with Sushanta and even invited him to visit Mata Vaishno Devi, the sacred Hindu shrine in Jammu. Her transformation mirrored my own journey from betrayal to renewed trust. After a month, Sushanta's family drove me to Heathrow. Moumita touched my feet once more, a quiet promise of enduring connection. Back in Kashmir, my phone rang. ' Bhaya, when will you visit again?' Sushanta asked, his voice carrying the warmth of Woodford Green. The tragedy of Baisaran had shaken my faith in humanity, but London's kindness restored it. In a world shaken by fear and fractured by hate, it was quiet acts of care that endured. In those moments, I found proof that humanity's heart beats stronger than its wounds. Farooq Shah is a veteran journalist from Kashmir. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
News18
29-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
‘Asim Munir Shook Hands With US-Designated Terrorist': Owaisi Flags Pakistan-Terror Link In Riyadh
Last Updated: Owaisi exposed Pakistan during an interaction in Saudi Arabia and presented "clear evidence" how Islamabad backs terrorism and its army supports terrorists. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, who was in Saudi Arabia as part of the delegation to expose Pakistan, presented 'clear evidence" of the country's involvement in terrorism and its army's backing of terrorists. Owaisi, while speaking in Riyadh, showed a photo to prove how Pakistani army chief Asim Munir was promoted as Field Marshal and how he was seen sitting beside a US-designated terrorist at an event. The AIMIM chief, who is a part of the delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, also underlined the need to bring Pakistan back to the FATF grey list to control terror funding. 'Pakistan must be brought back to the FATF grey list. That is where we will be able to control this terror financing of all these terrorist organisations. When this person (Asim Munir) was made a Field Marshal in Pakistan, a US-designated terrorist called Mohammad Ehsan was sitting right beside the Field Marshal. There are photographs of him shaking hands with this field marshal. There is clear evidence of Pakistan's involvement. These terror groups are prospering over there, they are being trained over there, and the whole task is to destabilise India to create more Hindu Muslim riots in India," Owaisi said. #WATCH | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | AIMIM chief and MP Asaduddin Owaisi says, '…Pakistan must be brought back to the FATF grey list. That is where we will be able to control this terror financing of all these terrorist organisations. When this person (Asim Munir) was made a Field… — ANI (@ANI) May 28, 2025 According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Muhammad Ahsan—also known as Ehsan Muhammad, Ihsan Muhammad, or Ullah Ehsan—is listed on the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list. He is from Sialkot and Islamabad, Pakistan, and his birth year is listed as 1970, though other records show 1971 or 1972. He has been designated under the 'Secondary sanctions risk, section 1(b) of Executive Order 13244," as updated by Executive Order 13886. Ahsan is linked to the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba. Owaisi pointed out the duplicity and deceit of Pakistan in backing terrorists and said that Islamabad once termed Sajid Mir dead and later confessed that he was alive. He noted that several terrorists were jailed in Pakistan only for 'money laundering, not for terrorism". #WATCH | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | AIMIM chief and MP Asaduddin Owaisi says, 'After 26/11, my government, headed by the then Prime Minister, late Dr Manmohan Singh, the Indian investigators went to Pakistan, gave them all the evidence, but you'll be surprised to know that nothing… — ANI (@ANI) May 28, 2025 'After 26/11, my government, headed by the then Prime Minister, late Dr Manmohan Singh, the Indian investigators went to Pakistan, gave them all the evidence, but you'll be surprised to know that nothing moved forward. What made Pakistan move forward in this terrorist trial was when Pakistan was put on the FATF grey list," he said. 'One meeting was held in Germany, and India wanted one Sajid Mir to be indicted, but Pakistan said he's dead… Pakistan came up to the Committee of FATF and said Sajid Mir is alive. Can you imagine the country which was saying he's dead, suddenly, he's alive? And then the Pakistani government said that our courts have convicted him for some 5 to 10 years, but the main culprits of the 26/11 are still scot-free. They were convicted of money laundering, not for terrorism," the AIMIM chief added. First Published: May 29, 2025, 08:44 IST
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Main culprits of the 26/11 are still scot-free': Owaisi demands Pakistan's return to FATF grey list
Asaduddin Owaisi AIMIM supremo Asaduddin Owaisi , part of the all-party delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, on Wednesday called for Pakistan to be put back on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list to curb terror financing. Speaking during an interaction in Riyadh, Owaisi accused Pakistan of training terrorist organisations aimed at destabilising India. "...Pakistan must be brought back to the FATF grey list. That is where we will be able to control this terror financing of all these terrorist organisations," Owaisi said, citing a photo of Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir alongside US-designated terrorist Mohammad Ehsan. "There are photographs of him shaking hands with this field marshal. There is clear evidence of Pakistan's involvement. These terror groups are prospering over there, they are being trained over there, and the whole task is to destabilise India to create more Hindu Muslim riots in India. " — ANI (@ANI) Referring to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, Owaisi criticised Pakistan's inaction despite evidence shared by Indian investigators. "After 26/11, my government, headed by the then Prime Minister, late Dr Manmohan Singh, the Indian investigators went to Pakistan, gave them all the evidence, but you'll be surprised to know that nothing moved forward," AIMIM chief said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Book Your Daily Profit By 11 AM With This Superclass By Mr. Bala TradeWise Learn More Undo He credited FATF pressure for forcing Pakistan to acknowledge the presence of key accused Sajid Mir. "Pakistan said he's dead... Pakistan came up to the Committee of FATF and said Sajid Mir is alive. Can you imagine the country which was saying he's dead, suddenly, he's alive? And then the Pakistani government said that our courts have convicted him for some 5 to 10 years, but the main culprits of the 26/11 are still scot-free. They were convicted of money laundering, not for terrorism." Owaisi said, "This is the most unfortunate that Pakistan gives out a wrong message to the Arab world and the Muslim world that we are a Muslim country and India is not. There are 240 million proud Indian Muslims living in India... This is Pakistan's false propaganda that India is hurting them because they are a Muslim country. If Pakistan stops these takfiri terrorist groups, there will be stability in South Asia, there'll be progress in South Asia. .." Owaisi also underlined the role of Indian agencies during the Mumbai attacks, mentioning how they recorded conversations between the attackers and their handlers. "...The Indian legal system followed all the due process of law, and Ajmal Kasab was sentenced to death, and he revealed many things. Our agencies were capable enough to record the audio conversations in which the terrorist group, sitting in Pakistan, were having with terrorists who were killing Indians in five-star hotels... they were clearly told them not to lose heart, kill as many Indians as you can, and you'll go to Jannat. " The multi-party delegation, including BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey, Phangnon Konyak, Rekha Sharma; AIMIM MP Owaisi; Satnam Singh Sandhu MP; Ghulam Nabi Azad; and Ambassador Harsh Shringla, is visiting Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Algeria. The team is briefing international leaders on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and the country's broader stand against cross-border terrorism. The initiative, comprising seven delegations led by different MPs, aims to combat global misinformation and project India's zero-tolerance stance on terrorism.
Mint
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Pakistan must be put back on FATF grey list: Asaduddin Owaisi in Saudi Arabia
AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi said on Wednesday that Pakistan "must be put back" on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list. He said, "That is where we will be able to control this terror financing of all these terrorist organisations." Owaisi is part of the all-party delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda. The delegation aims to brief international partners on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and its broader fight against cross-border terrorism while engaging with leaders in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Algeria. Speaking at the interaction in Riyadh, Owaisi claimed that terrorist organisations are being trained in Pakistan and are trying to create unrest in India. Owaisi also pointed to a photo showing a US-designated terrorist sitting next to Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir, saying it shows clear links to terrorism. He said, '…When this person [Asim Munir] was made a Field Marshal in Pakistan, a US-designated terrorist called Mohammad Ehsan was sitting right beside the Field Marshal. There are photographs of him shaking hands with this field marshal.' "There is clear evidence of Pakistan's involvement. These terror groups are prospering over there, they are being trained over there, and the whole task is to destabilise India to create more Hindu Muslim riots in India," Owaisi said. Owaisi said that Pakistan first claimed key accused Sajid Mir was dead, but later admitted he was alive under FATF scrutiny. 'After 26/11, my government, headed by the then Prime Minister, late Dr Manmohan Singh, the Indian investigators went to Pakistan, gave them all the evidence, but you'll be surprised to know that nothing moved forward,' he said. 'What made Pakistan move forward in this terrorist trial was when Pakistan was put on the FATF grey list. One meeting was held in Germany, and India wanted one Sajid Mir to be indicted, but Pakistan said he's dead...,' Owaisi added. He said, 'Pakistan came up to the Committee of FATF and said Sajid Mir is alive. Can you imagine the country which was saying he's dead, suddenly, he's alive? And then the Pakistani government said that our courts have convicted him for some 5 to 10 years, but the main culprits of the 26/11 are still scot-free.' "They were convicted of money laundering, not for terrorism," Owaisi said. FATF means Financial Action Task Force. When the FATF places a jurisdiction under increased monitoring, it means the country has committed to resolve swiftly the identified strategic deficiencies within agreed timeframes and is subject to increased monitoring. This list is often externally referred to as the grey list. FATF grey list, also known as "Jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring', identifies countries that are actively working with the FATF to address strategic deficiencies in their regimes to counter money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing.
India Gazette
29-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Pakistan must be put back on FATF grey list", says Asaduddin Owaisi in Riyadh
Riyadh [Saudi Arabia], May 29 (ANI): All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi, who is part of the all-party delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, said that Pakistan should be put back on the FATF grey list to curb the funding of terrorist groups. He claimed that terrorist organisations are being trained in Pakistan and are trying to create unrest in India. Owaisi also pointed to a photo showing a US-designated terrorist sitting next to Pakistan's army chief, saying it shows clear links to terrorism. Speaking at the interaction in Riyadh, Owaisi said, '...Pakistan must be brought back to the FATF grey list. That is where we will be able to control this terror financing of all these terrorist organisations. When this person (Asim Munir) was made a Field Marshal in Pakistan, a US-designated terrorist called Mohammad Ehsan was sitting right beside the Field Marshal. There are photographs of him shaking hands with this field marshal. There is clear evidence of Pakistan's involvement. These terror groups are prospering over there, they are being trained over there, and the whole task is to destabilise India to create more Hindu Muslim riots in India.' He further added that Indian investigators had given all the evidence to Pakistan after the Mumbai attacks, but no progress was made until global pressure forced action. Owaisi stated that Pakistan first claimed key accused Sajid Mir was dead, but later admitted he was alive under FATF scrutiny. 'After 26/11, my government, headed by the then Prime Minister, late Dr Manmohan Singh, the Indian investigators went to Pakistan, gave them all the evidence, but you'll be surprised to know that nothing moved forward. What made Pakistan move forward in this terrorist trial was when Pakistan was put on the FATF grey list. One meeting was held in Germany, and India wanted one Sajid Mir to be indicted, but Pakistan said he's dead... Pakistan came up to the Committee of FATF and said Sajid Mir is alive. Can you imagine the country which was saying he's dead, suddenly, he's alive? And then the Pakistani government said that our courts have convicted him for some 5 to 10 years, but the main culprits of the 26/11 are still scot-free. They were convicted of money laundering, not for terrorism,' Owaisi said. Owaisi added that Indian agencies had recorded conversations between the attackers and their handlers in Pakistan, where the terrorists were told to kill as many people as possible and were promised 'Jannat' (heaven) for doing so. He further added, '...The Indian legal system followed all the due process of law, and Ajmal Kasab was sentenced to death, and he revealed many things. Our agencies were capable enough to record the audio conversations in which the terrorist group, sitting in Pakistan, were having with terrorists who were killing Indians in five-star hotels, and those conversations they were clearly told them not to lose heart, kill as many Indians as you can, and you'll go to Jannat. This was the conversation that was recorded...' The delegation, led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, also includes BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, BJP MP Phangnon Konyak; BJP MP Rekha Sharma; AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi; Satnam Singh Sandhu MP; Ghulam Nabi Azad; and Ambassador Harsh Shringla. The delegation aims to brief international partners on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and its broader fight against cross-border terrorism while engaging with leaders in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Algeria. The multi-party delegation, consisting of seven groups led by one MP each, has been initiated to counter global misinformation and highlight India's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism. (ANI)
