Kashmir Khutbah Talking Points

As we all prepare for Eid, millions of Kashmiris are on lockdown in their own homes, with the Indian army being ordered to shoot them on sight if they step out. 

Thank Muslims and together thank Allah

Muslims are masha Allah successful people. 

Thank God for our freedoms, our life and our iman. 

We are free to pray Muslims in Kashmir are not allowed to leave their homes and are shot on sight. So while we thank God, we remember and support freedom movements around the world.

Quran and Sunnah references:

• As Muslims, we are obliged to stand for justice as is mentioned in the Quran (4:135). In addition to spiritual solitude, ritual prayer, and fasting, our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him) also played an active role in his community by which he sought justice for both Muslims and non-Muslims. 
• God says in the Quran, as in the earlier revealed Scriptures, that saving one life is like saving all of humanity, and letting one person die is like letting all of humanity die. We are required to uphold life’s sanctity. (Quran 5:32)
• Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said “whomsoever sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then (let him change it) with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart – and that is the weakest of faith” (Sahih Muslim). 

First Class Muslims and First Class Citizens:

We care for our country and we care for the Ummah. We must stand up for truth, peace and justice at home and abroad. 

We alhamdu lillah, speak up for Palestine, for Muslims in Burma and for Uighur people in China. Today I would like to share something about a people we rarely talk about. 

Muslims in Kashmir.

For the past 60 days, 8 million Kashmiris have been under lockdown in their own homes, with the Indian army being ordered to shoot them on sight if they step out. Parents are scared of turning on the lights at night t tend to their children, lest the army comes and takes the men in the family away. Many homes are frantically looking for their children. You see, 13,000 boys and young men have been taken away, some as young as 9,  from their homes and their whereabouts are unknown. Abuse and torture is reported. Remember, Indian-occupied Kashmir is the most militarized zone in the world: There is one armed Indian soldier for every 10 Kashmiris

Imagine not knowing where your children are!

Here is what is happening right now:

• India has closed down all media in Kashmir
• No journalist is allowed by India to enter Kashmir
• There is sporadic landline service in some areas and no cellphone service
• Internet service in Kashmir has been blocked by India
• Schools, colleges, and universities remain closed. Indian paramilitary forces occupy educational institutions in the Valley.
• Access to life-saving medication and hospitals in cut off
• Public transport remains off the streets. Residents treat serious pellet injuries in homes. For the injured youth, going to a hospital can lead to arrest. 
• The Indian government has evacuated all tourists and Hindus from Kashmir
• India has refused the United Nations’ request to investigate

So far 96,000 Kashmiris have been killed. And Kashmiri Muslim leaders are appealing to the world for help. 

First, we can educate ourselves and others on the issue so that we are aware of the precarious circumstances Kashmiris are faced with.

Second, we must call on our Congress to sponsor a Kashmir Human Rights Resolution.

Third, we must commit some of our time to volunteer for the Kashmiri cause. Ask how you can volunteer 3 hours a week and build a movement of change

Last but not least, we can remember our sisters and brothers in our supplications. We should never underestimate the power of prayer. We believe that prayer draws human attention to things that need our attention, and that God hears our prayers, which can work to change human events and history