Srinagar, April 3, 2026: “After the removal of Article 370, there is a new Kashmir. Earlier, children used to throw stones; today, they hold pens,” said Dr. Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, Chief Imam of the All India Imam Organisation (AIIO), while addressing the media in Srinagar.
Dr. Ilyasi, who is currently on a visit to the Kashmir Valley, made the remarks highlighting the transformation in the region following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. He praised the visible shift from unrest to focus on education and normalcy among the youth. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
During his tour, the Chief Imam visited several spiritual sites, including the Aishmuqam Dargah in Anantnag (associated with Hazrat Sheikh Zain-ud-Din Wali), Baba Rishi shrine, and Dargah Sharif Hazratbal in Srinagar. He lauded the development and maintenance of shrines and mosques in Jammu and Kashmir, describing the work done by the Waqf Board under its Chairperson Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi as “remarkable” and a “role model” for Waqf Boards across the country.
Dr. Ilyasi also emphasised improved peace, communal harmony, and development in the Valley. He urged people from across India to visit Kashmir to witness the positive changes firsthand, referring to it as “Naya Kashmir” or “Badalta Kashmir” (New and Changing Kashmir).
The All India Imam Organisation, which represents a large number of imams across the country, has consistently advocated for national unity, peace, and strong action against terrorism. Dr. Ilyasi has previously issued fatwas against terrorists and promoted interfaith harmony.
His comments come amid ongoing efforts to restore complete normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir, with reports of significant decline in stone-pelting incidents and increased focus on education and tourism post-2019.
The Chief Imam’s visit coincides with preparations for local festivals and reflects growing positive sentiments from various community and religious leaders about the ground situation in the region.
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