Briefing media about the Coronavirus (COVID-19), Iran’s Deputy Health Minister, Iraj Harirchi suddenly started sweating and shivering. The sight was horrible. Hours later, Iranian media confirmed that the minister has been infected by the fatal virus.
The fast spreading virus has become a matter of serious concern around the world but its ominous spread in Iran was especially worrying for Kashmiris. China, where the virus began and has consumed most of the lives, is closer to Kashmir but the level of panic that Iranian crisis has caused is far more serious. The reason is Kashmir’s connections with Iran. Several hundred Kashmiris are currently in Iran for educational or business purposes.
Qom, the epicentre of the deadly virus in Iran, has recorded most of the deaths in the country. It houses the second largest religious seminary of the Shia Muslim world after Najaf in Iraq. Every year hundreds of young men and women from Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh seek admission in the seminary to pursue their careers in Islamic jurisprudence. They often take their families with them.
Religious education apart, Iran has gradually emerged a favourite destination for Kashmiri students for pursuing medical science and engineering courses. Estimate suggest there are roughly five hundred Kashmiris that include students pursuing various courses, the seminary students and their families presently spread out in four big states of Iran Tehran, Qom, Isfahan and Shiraz.
Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) has 159 Kashmiri enrolment. In a letter to Indian ambassador in Tehran the University authorities have confirmed this number. The authorities also expressed willingness to send the students back on Novroz vacation if New Delhi can facilitate the process of their return.
Esta historia es de la edición March 01-07, 2020; Curious Case of Shah Faesal; Issue 48 Vol 11 de Kashmir Life.
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Esta historia es de la edición March 01-07, 2020; Curious Case of Shah Faesal; Issue 48 Vol 11 de Kashmir Life.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
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Before The Kabul Retreat
Described as the ‘Graveyard of Empires’, Afghanistan was always termed to be at peace when it was at war. But the land-locked desert country that was always in turmoil and one of the worst targets of the Great Game suffered immensely throughout, especially in the last 40 years, Masood Hussain writes
FINGERS CROSSED
Almost everybody in academia and politics that Khalid Bashir Gura spoke to, the response over Kabul happens was simple – wait and watch
Parliamentary Committee In Srinagar
The visiting 28-member Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs have had detailed interactions with top civil administration and discussed developmental scenario and people’s welfare measures in Jammu and Kashmir. It is on a 4-day visit. Congress leader and MP Anand Sharma is heading the committee.
MUSIC IN MUD HOUSE
Deep into north Kashmir, Faheem Mir meet a small community that sings and lives on folk music but is facing a tense situation in the last few years
THE KABUL SPILLOVER?
Security experts are divided over the possible impact of the Kabul situation on Kashmir. But the dramatic Taliban triumph has altered the region’s geopolitics, for the time being, writes Riyaz Wani
Durga Bhawan At Katra
To enhancing facilities for the convenience of the Vaishno Devi pilgrims, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha laid the foundation for the Durga Bhawan, a high utility pilgrim-centric facility worth Rs 24.4 crore. The facility will accommodate 4000 pilgrims.
Women Empowerment
In the first, 480 talented girls from Jammu and Kashmir were included in the degree and diploma courses of the Pragati Scholarship. Jammu and Kashmir has also got nine scholarships under the Saksham Scheme for Persons with Disabilities.
‘SOME HISTORIANS BELIEVE THAT AFGHANISTAN CONFLICT IS THE OUTCOME OF INDIA AND PAKISTAN KASHMIR STAND-OFF'
Foreign policy expert and editor of HardNews magazine, Sanjay Kapoor believes that Taliban 2.0 has more legitimacy unlike in the past as it had signed a deal with the US and negotiated with other countries of the region, but the final verdict can be passed only after it manages ticklish issues involving half of its population, the women
Boredom Is Creative?
Getting bored is not as boring as it gets, writes Azra Hussain
LG In Bangus
Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha inaugurated the Bungus Awaam Mela amidst grand arrangements for village games, exhilarating local performances, and other activities to celebrate the 75th year of Independence.
