Rakib Altaf
SRINAGAR, Sept 17: Kashmir’s senior separatist leader and chairman of the hardliner Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani has called for a general strike on Tuesday in protest against a US-made anti-Islamic film which led to widespread violent protests across the Muslim world.
The shutdown call comes as violent protests against the movie, made by an Israeli American which portrays Prophet Muhammad in poor light, are dying down.
Kashmir witnessed protest demonstrations, although peaceful, for two consecutive days on Friday and Saturday, but no separatist group called for a shutdown, which has otherwise been a common feature in the valley where over two decades of rebellion has taken tens of thousands of lives.
An organisation of Islamic scholars – the Muttahida Ulama-e-Ahli Sunnat – and Kashmir Economic Alliance – a group of elite business organisation – took the lead and Sunday called for a protest strike on September 18.
Geelani, however, has “clarified” that his call for a strike, which is seen by many as only an endorsement of the scholars’, was earlier planned for September 21, but had to keep “the collective good of the community and Muslim ummah” in mind.
“Against the American film which disrespects the Prophet of Islam and the desecration of Quran in New Delhi, which has led to the death of six people, the Hurriyat has called for a strike on September 18,” a Hurriyat spokesperson said on Monday.
“We appeal to all transporters, shopkeepers and businessmen and all government employees to make the strike a success and fulfill their religious duties.”
Meanwhile the octogenarian separatist leader has also castigated his critics who, he said, had blamed him of “playing safe” for saying there was no need for American citizens to leave the valley.
Geelani had, at a press conference on Saturday, snubbed Kashmir’s Grand Mufti, Basheeruddin Ahmed, who had asked Americans to leave the valley for their safety in view of growing resentment against their country after the film.
“We are not in favour of troubling innocent citizens of India, America and Israel, the countries who have waged a war against Islam and Muslims. We believe that is against the principles of our religion and the teachings of our Prophet Muhammad,” the spokesperson said.
The alliance has expressed displeasure over those who doubt the Hurriyat’s stand and “blame us of playing safe”, the statement read.
