Srinagar, Mar 23: In the weeks following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and amid the escalating war in the Middle East, a quiet but significant campaign of solidarity has unfolded across Kashmir. Residents are donating valuables—from gold ornaments to piggy bank savings—at mosques and street corners to support Iran.
Over the past week, collection centres in the Valley have witnessed an outpouring of contributions, driven largely by Kashmir’s Shia community. The Iranian Embassy in India has since acknowledged the gestures, particularly from Kashmir, describing them as a reflection of a deep emotional connection.
On the occasion of Eid, six-year-old Syed Anam Zehra walked to a collection centre and handed over her piggy bank. Asked how long she had been saving, she said, “For the last three years. This is for Iran.”
In another widely shared instance, an elderly woman sold the gold she had preserved as a memento of her late husband, who died 28 years ago, and donated the proceeds. The Iranian embassy’s official X handle posted: “A respected sister from Kashmir donated the gold kept as a memento of her husband… with a heart full of love and solidarity for the people of Iran. Your tears and pure emotions are the greatest source of comfort… and will never be forgotten.”
The community’s mobilisation followed a wave of protests in Kashmir and Ladakh after Khamenei’s death on March 1. On March 17, the Iranian Embassy issued a message directing donors to its official bank accounts.
Kashmir’s political leadership, including National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, and Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, visited the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi to sign a condolence book.
Imran Raza Ansari, president of the All Jammu & Kashmir Shia Association and a former minister in the PDP government, said the community has stepped forward to help with the “rebuilding of Iran”. However, he flagged concerns, alleging that “some individuals involved in the collection process are reportedly receiving calls from various authorities seeking details about the funds, collectors, and contributors”.
Asserting that the donations were for a “humanitarian and religious cause”, Ansari urged authorities to handle the matter with “understanding and respect”.
A volunteer from Lal Bazar, Abrar Ali, 37, described the cultural underpinnings of the drive. “Since our childhood, we have had a chant… ‘On the command of the Leader, even our lives are ready to be sacrificed’… We cannot go and fight for Iran, but at least we can pray and donate something,” he said.
Within three hours of a drive in his locality, which has around 60 households, Ali said they collected Rs 3 lakh in cash and gold ornaments worth about Rs 9 lakh. “Even those who have a poor financial condition donated… This donation drive has both religious and cultural roots,” he added.
Community heads said the donations, which saw a significant surge during Eid-ul-Fitr, are being collected through door-to-door drives and makeshift centres in the Kashmir Valley and Kargil. What has distinguished this campaign, organisers said, is the breadth of participation—from schoolchildren to businessmen, from young brides to college students.
Hashim Ali, an organiser from Bandipora district, said pledges worth crores have been made over the past week. Women, he said, have been at the forefront, with many handing over gold ornaments. Children have also participated by donating their ‘Eidi’.
“We have seen a young bride part with her wedding gold, a grandmother remove her bangles on the spot, a child empty his entire savings of ₹500 saying it is for the children of Iran,” Ali said.
For 10-year-old Ayaan from Sopore, the decision came after Eid prayers. “I got ₹1,000 as Eidi from my nani. I gave it all,” he said, clutching a small envelope. “The children in Iran are facing bombs. I don’t need the money more than they do.”
In Budgam, a group of university students pooled together over ₹2 lakh from their monthly stipends and savings. Bilal Ahmad, a third-year engineering student, said he contributed ₹15,000 he had been saving for a new laptop. “My old one still works. This can wait,” he said. “When your brothers and sisters are being targeted, you don’t calculate.”
Mohammad Yousuf Rather, a textile trader, said he donated ₹5 lakh from his business earnings. “I am not a wealthy man by any standard, but I know my responsibility,” he said. “If we don’t stand with Iran today, history will not forgive us.”
In Baramulla, a child who received a cycle as Eidi from his father donated it the next day. “He said, ‘Papa brought it for me for ₹8,000, but for me, nothing is more important than donating for this cause. It is really Eid for me’,” an organiser recalled. “I took permission, and Papa agreed to donate.”
Schoolchildren have been among the most enthusiastic contributors, organisers said. A group of Class 10 students from a government school in Ganderbal collectively donated ₹8,500 collected from their pocket money. “We skipped eating outside for the past week,” said Fatima, 15. “Our teacher told us that every rupee counts. So we saved whatever we could.”
In a series of posts on X, the Iranian Embassy extended its gratitude. “With hearts full of gratitude, we sincerely thank the kind people of Kashmir for standing with the people of Iran through their humanitarian support and heartfelt solidarity; this kindness will never be forgotten. Thank you, India,” the embassy said.
Budgam MLA Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi has announced the donation of his one month’s salary towards humanitarian assistance for the people of Iran.
“I stand in solidarity with the people of Iran during this challenging period. As a humble gesture of support and compassion, I am donating my one month’s salary towards relief efforts. In times of crisis, it is our collective responsibility to rise above boundaries and extend help to those in need,” he said.
Mehdi further urged others in public life and society to come forward and contribute towards humanitarian causes.
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