Srinagar: Kashmir’s Grand Mufti Bashir-ud-Din today appealed to German Ambassador Michael Steiner to reconsider holding the Zubin Mehta concert in the valley Sep 7 and instead support education and healthcare in Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to media persons in Srinagar, Mufti Bashir-ud-Din said: “I had decided not to comment on the forthcoming musical concert in Srinagar and leave the decision to the people whether they approve of such activities or not.”
“But, I have been approached by many religious, social and civil society groups on the issue and I personally feel holding of such musical shows sends out the wrong signal that the people of Kashmir are prosperous and have the leisure to participate in such high profile events,” he said.
Mufti Bashir-ud-Din said: “Since Kashmir is a disputed area, the holding of such a concert would definitely send a wrong signal to the outside world.”
“I, therefore, appeal to the honourable German ambassador to reconsider the decision and instead spend on helping education, healthcare and economy of Kashmiri people,” he said.
The grand mufti earlier this year hit news headlines when he issued a decree against a Kashmiri all-girl ban that led to the trio abandoning their musical pursuit.
Hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani and the moderate Mirwaiz Umer Farooq have already opposed the concert.
Celebrated Mumbai-born conductor Zubin Mehta is set to perform at the historic Shalimar Bagh in the Kashmir Valley.
The works of Beethoven, Hayden, and Tchaikovsky will be performed by the Bavarian State Orchestra from Munich, one of the well-known orchestras of the world. This will be a cultural tribute to Kashmir and its warm-hearted people, according to Ambassador Steiner.
– IANS
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