New Delhi

Historical Jama Masjid’s Shahi Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari delivered a fiery condemnation of the Pahalgam massacre that has left the nation grieving and shaken. Backed by Quranic verses, his message was not just a speech — it was a call to conscience, a reminder of what humanity stands for and a sharp rebuke to those who desecrate the name of religion through terror.

From the outset, Bukhari made the sanctity of human life the cornerstone of his address. “Taking the life of an innocent invites the wrath of Allah,” he warned, adding that “in Islam, even inciting someone to commit murder is cursed and considered a grave sin.”

He did not mince words when it came to the recent terror attack. “The horrifying incident that took place in Pahalgam three days ago (on April 22 in Baisaran meadow) has shaken the conscience of India and our moral traditions,” he said. “This tragedy has stirred deep emotions within all of us.”

The Pahalgam killings, where tourists were targeted and executed based on their religious identity, were condemned as nothing short of barbaric. “Killing innocent people on the basis of religious identity is an unforgivable crime,” the Shahi Imam declared.

He emphasised that such brutality stands in complete contradiction to Islam’s teachings. “The terrorists, claiming to be Muslims, have displayed behaviour that is utterly un-Islamic. What kind of Islam have they learned or been taught?”

The gruesome details of the attack, in which people were stripped to reveal their religious affiliation before being murdered, struck a deep chord. “This has nothing to do with the teachings, history or culture of Islam,” Bukhari emphatically stated. “If such acts continue unchecked, it is hard to say where this will lead.”

Bukhari urged unity over division. “This is not the time to divide people into Hindus and Muslims, but to stand united like a solid rock for the honour, sovereignty and dignity of the nation.” He reminded citizens that peace-loving Indians will always rise in defence of the country's integrity.

Taking a broader view, the imam (prayer leader) lamented the direction in which the world is heading. “Sometimes, I wonder where is humanity heading?” he asked. Recalling the devastation of COVID-19, he reflected on how the global health crisis failed to inspire compassion or change. “Millions of innocent lives were lost. Some were fortunate enough to receive proper burials, while others were not… yet the world failed to learn a lesson.”

He noted with sorrow, “Once again, the world is witnessing the same cruelty against humanity. The perpetrators see it as a mark of success.”

Bukhari also warned of growing unrest worldwide, including within India. “Many countries around the world are entangled in war and violence,” he said. “Sadly, even in our own country, religious hatred, sectarianism and the erosion of trust between communities have become matters of concern.”

He posed a sobering question: “Where is this world headed, and where do we intend to take it?” History, he reminded the audience, shows that “no problem has ever truly been solved through war and terrorism.”

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In his closing remarks, the imam celebrated the enduring values of India. “Our country has some fundamental qualities, among which equality and peaceful coexistence are its most distinguished virtues,” he said, calling India’s ancient civilization “a national treasure” that has long stood as “a leading example of peaceful coexistence”.

With heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families, he ended his address with a solemn prayer: “I extend my heartfelt condolences to the grieving families and pray that God protects us all from such incidents and extraordinary tragedies. I end my words with a prayer for peace, harmony and brotherhood to prevail across the entire world.”