‘Ghar wapasi soon': Says All India Imam Organisation chief on PoK

He also cautioned "the neighbouring country (Pakistan)" that Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) would definitely be integrated with Jammu and Kashmir.

Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, chief Imam of the All India Imam Organisation, stated on Friday that Jammu and Kashmir has transformed dramatically since the abrogation of Article 370, emerging as a model for the rest of India.

Speaking to the media in Srinagar, Ilyasi added that the efforts of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have yielded results in the transformed landscape of Kashmir today.

"Today there is pen in those hands, who used to pelt stones. Tourism is booming, although there was some hiccup after the Pahalgam terror attack."

"Kashmir today is safe for everybody and everybody must come here. Tourism is back on track and Kashmir is moving fast on the path to progress," Ilyasi said.

"I am highly impressed by the work Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi (Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board Chief) has done here. It has opened my eyes. Her work in the Waqf Board has changed Kashmir into a model for all of us," the chief cleric added.

He also cautioned "the neighbouring country (Pakistan)" that Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) would definitely be integrated with Jammu and Kashmir.

"The people there (PoK) are seeing the progress in Kashmir and they are happy to see this. They want to hold a referendum and join India. With Allah's grace, their 'Ghar Wapsi' (homecoming) would soon take place," Ilyasi said.

On the West Asia conflict, the chief cleric noted that war serves no one well, emphasising, "It harms everybody." He voiced hope that Prime Minister Modi would mediate to resolve the conflict swiftly.

Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi is the Chief Imam of the All India Imam Organization, the largest Imam organisation in the world, representing half a million Imams in India.

He is a prominent interfaith leader recognised for promoting peace, dialogue, and a "Nation First" ideology.

(with IANS inputs)