By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net
Leh: The execution of the Saudi Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr in Saudi Arabia on January 2 has ensued days of unrest and protest from Shia community members in different parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Leh District of Ladakh region, however, proved to be different, with people from different communities-Buddhist, Christian, Sunni, and Shia-coming together to take out a joint candle light march against the execution on Monday. The march started from Leh gate and culminated in the main market.
The executed cleric, Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr, was found guilty by a court in Saudi Arabia in 2014 of seeking “foreign meddling” in the kingdom, “disobeying” its rulers and taking up arms against the security forces.
The cleric was a vocal supporter of the mass anti-government protests that erupted in eastern province of the Kingdom in 2011.
“The Saudi regime has drenched its hands with the blood by executing the innocent cleric Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr. It is highly condemnable. We organised this joint protest march to give a message to Saudi regime that we are not going to be divided on sectarian lines. In our protest, members of Sunni, Shia, Buddhist and Christian community members took part,” Ashraf Barcha, President Anjuman Imamia, Leh told TwoCircles.net.
In Kargil district, days after the execution of cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr have been occupied with protests and shutdowns. Almost every day a protest rally is being organised by the Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust and Anjuman-e-Jamiat-ul-Ulama Asna Asharya, Kargil.
“Saudi is simply looping nonviolent activists with terrorists with an intention to dupe the international community,” President Islamia School, Aga Syed Jammaluddin Mussavi told protesters.
The Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust, Kargil, had called for three-day mourning which culminated peacefully on Tuesday, January 5.
“On the last day of three-day mourning, we offered Fateh Khwani in Jamia Masjid Kargil. In last three days we organised a series of protests in which Buddhist, Sunni and Shia community members participated,” Abbas Karrari, Vice Chairman, Imam Khomieni Memorial Trust told TwoCircles.net.
In the Shia-dominated areas of Srinagar, a complete shutdown was observed on Tuesday besides authorities had already placed restrictions to avoid incidents of stone pelting.
Areas in Alamgari Bazaar and Hawal in Srinagar witnessed fierce stone throwing protests on Tuesday morning, following which police had to impose restrictions of public movement.
(All Photos By : Sajjad Kargili)