Srinagar, Feb 16: Volatile old City could be an epicenter of Azadi sentiment. But it equally seems to be hub of communal harmony. This is what came to fore Thursday when Valley’s head priest and senior separatist leader, Mirwaiz, Dr Umar Farooq inaugurated the new building of a 120-year-old business establishment at historic Maharaj Gunj in the Shaher-e-Khaas.
 With this, Teerath Ram and Company, a leading firm dealing with wholesale textiles for over six generations, at this historic marketplace, resumed business from the newly constructed building. The old heritage structure was gutted in a devastating fire on March 4, 2010.
 Even though some of the finishing touches to the new edifice were still going on –obviously hinting that it would take time to be fully ready for the inauguration -the Malhotras got the Mahurat pre-poned because Mirwaiz was scheduled to go out of station.
 “We wanted this building to be inaugurated only at the hands Mirwaiz Sahib, so we finalized the arrangements for inauguration on war- footing so that we didn’t miss seeking his blessings,” said Vinod Malhotra who partners the firm along with his brother Subhash. Their great grandfather Lala Kotu Mal had started the business during the Dogra Maharaja rule when Maharaj Gunj used to be a hub of commercial activities in Srinagar.
 Asked why this Hindu family preferred a Muslim priest for the Mahurat, the Malhotras said: “Our relation with the Mirwaiz family dates back to three generations so what better a person could we find than Mirwaiz Sahib.”
 “Moreover there has never been any disharmony between us and people of other religions in the area,” the Malhotras maintained.
 Over a century back, their ancestors had migrated to Srinagar from Multan, now a part of Pakistan, and got settled at Maharaj Gunj, where the family still holds the ancestral house at nearby Sheikh Mohalla.
 After the 2010 blaze, the family had been running the business from the Sheikh Mohalla building till the new construction was completed.
 The family has tried to maintain the heritage façade in the new building, at least for the design of its windows. “We didn’t want to lose our heritage so we tried our bit by getting the windows carved like the old Haweli,” said Vishal and Vikram, Vinod’s sons in 30s.
 The family said during the turmoil when many migrated from Kashmir, they were never threatened nor they found any reasons to leave their homeland.
 “We have always been living in harmony with our Muslim brethren,” the Malhotras dealing with world famed brands like Reid and Taylor, said.
 Mirwaiz echoes similar views. To a question on the Kashmir conflict, he said the issue was “never against any religion, caste or creed.”
 “People like them have been with us in the thin and thick, they have been sharing joys and sorrows with us all these years,” Mirwaiz told Greater Kashmir adding that there was never a reason for people of any minority community to leave Kashmir.
 “They have been a part of our society and we can’t ignore them. Referring to Islamic principles, the head priest said, Islam never taught communal hatred but is the religion which aims at universal peace and brotherhood.
 “And this is why Mirwaiz Sahib, ensured to make it to the function (Mahurat),” said his close aide Advocate Shahid Ul Islam who was present at the inaugural function.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 16 Feb 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 IST