Srinagar, Mar 22: Muslims, predominantly from the Shia community, across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have donated gold, silver, utensils, and cash collectively worth crores of rupees to support Iran amid ongoing US-Israel military strikes, community organisers said on Sunday.
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, they said.
Hashim Ali, an organiser from Bandipora district, told Kashmir Convener that pledges worth crores have been made over the past week, with schoolchildren, college students, businessmen, and women contributing.
“Women have been at the forefront, with many handing over gold ornaments, while children have also participated by donating their ‘Eidi’,” he said.
“We have seen a young bride part with her wedding gold, a grandmother remove her bangles on the spot, and a child empty his entire savings of Rs 500, saying it is for the children of Iran,” Mr Ali added.
A 10-year-old from Sopore, Ayaan, said he donated Rs 1,000 received as Eidi from his grandmother. “The children in Iran are facing bombs. I don’t need the money more than they do,” he said.
Bilal Ahmad, a third-year engineering student, said he contributed Rs 15,000 he had been saving for a new laptop. “When your brothers and sisters are being targeted, you don’t calculate,” he said.
Mohammad Yousuf Rather, a textile trader, said he donated Rs 5 lakh from his business earnings. “If we don’t stand with Iran today, history will not forgive us,” he said.
Another businessman, who owns a chain of showrooms in north Kashmir and spoke on condition of anonymity, said he transferred Rs 25 lakh after consulting with his partners. “We have seen our own troubles here. We understand what it means to face occupation and bombardment. This is not charity — it is solidarity,” he said.
Organisers said schoolchildren have been among the most enthusiastic contributors. A group of Class 10 students from a government school in Ganderbal collectively donated Rs 8,500 collected from their pocket money. “We skipped eating outside for a 15 days,” said 15-year-old Fatima.
Another student, 17-year-old Arif from Sumbal, said he donated his entire savings of Rs 12,000 accumulated over two years from tutoring younger children.
In Baramulla, an organiser said a child who received a cycle as Eidi from his father donated it the next day.
Anwar Ali, another organiser from Budgam, said, “This is not a one-day sentiment. When you see a young bride part with her wedding gold just 18 months after her marriage, when you see a student give up his laptop savings, when you see a child hand over his new cycle — you realise what this means to people.”
Meanwhile, parts of the Valley, Jammu, and Kargil witnessed peaceful protests during Eid congregations over the weekend, with demonstrators raising slogans against the US and Israel while expressing solidarity with Iran.
The collected items are being converted into cash for transfer through authorised channels, organisers said, adding that the donation drive will remain ongoing.
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.
He further urged others in public life and society to come forward and contribute towards humanitarian causes.
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