Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent feat of “being among the longest-serving leaders of independent India”, Kashmir chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, in his Friday (June 26, 2026) sermon at historic Jama Masjid, pitched for a dialogue with Pakistan and termed dialogue and diplomacy “the most reliable instruments for resolving issues”.

“PM Modi is today among the longest-serving leaders in independent India. When he assumed office [in 2014], the PM spoke of regional cooperation and demonstrated an interest in improving relations with neighbouring countries. Those gestures generated hope across South Asia,” said the Mirwaiz.

With reports of fresh efforts to resume diplomatic talks between the two countries, the Mirwaiz said, “I hope that the spirit of engagement that informed PM Modi earlier, and the efforts under leaders such as former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh, once again finds expression”.

The Mirwaiz said peace may be difficult, but “dialogue and diplomacy demand patience and remain the most reliable instruments for resolving issues and securing a better future.”

Referring to separatist Hurriyat’s earlier engagement with Mr. Vajpayee, former Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani and Mr. Singh, the Mirwaiz said, “While differences remained, those engagements reflected an important principle: dialogue itself has value. It reduces mistrust, humanises opposing perspectives and creates possibilities that otherwise remain closed.”

On the recent United States-Israel confrontation with Iran, the Mirwaiz said it again reminded us that military force, however overwhelming, has its limits. “Wars can alter circumstances and inflict immense suffering, but durable peace and lasting solutions ultimately require dialogue, negotiation and statesmanship,” he added.

Praising Pakistan and Qatar for facilitating an environment conducive to dialogue, the Mirwaiz said the adversaries eventually returned to the negotiating table. “It is not a sign of weakness on either side. It reflected the reality that disputes cannot be resolved through force alone,” he said.

Drawing parallels, the Mirwaiz said this lesson is relevant for South Asia, particularly India and Pakistan. “Our region is home to nearly one-fourth of humanity. It possesses immense civilizational wealth, extraordinary human resources and enormous economic potential. Yet for decades, political tensions, mistrust and unresolved issues have prevented the peoples of this region from fully realising these possibilities. Societies suffer not only economically, but also emotionally and psychologically,” he said.

The Mirwaiz said his father, Shaheed Mirwaiz Molvi Farooq who was assassinated in 1990, was a strong advocate of justice and dialogue over violence and confrontation.

“The Awami Action Committee and the All Parties Hurriyat Conference have consistently, for more than 36 years, upheld this principle despite facing odds and pushback. Sustainable peace cannot emerge from wars, force or violence. Lasting solutions require engagement, understanding and the courage to listen even to those with whom one disagrees,” said the Mirwaiz.

Meanwhile, the Mirwaiz said that the tragedy of Karbala, which is commemorated by Shia Muslims in Muharram, “is not merely a chapter of history, but an eternal lesson in truth, patience, justice and sacrifice”.

“Imam Hussain, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, was not in search of war or confrontation. He stood for the principle that differences must be addressed through truth, adherence to the principles of Islam and sincerity through conversation,” said the Mirwaiz.