Gen. Soleimani’s legacy will ‘always endure’, says Kashmiri pro-freedom leader

With martyrdom, General Qassem Soleimani’s reign may be over, but his legacy will “always endure”, says a senior pro-freedom leader in Indian controlled Kashmir.

Speaking to Press TV website, Masroor Abbas Ansari, a senior leader of Hurriyat Conference, a conglomerate of pro-freedom parties in the disputed Himalayan region, paid glowing tribute to General Soleimani on his second martyrdom anniversary.

“Fighting ISIS (Daesh) and defending the sacred Shia shrines in Iraq and Syria will keep him alive forever and it is not far off that martyr Soleimani is dearer to the hearts than the living Soleimani,” Ansari said, echoing the words of the leader of Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

During his meeting with the family of former Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force chief on Saturday, Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that “Martyr” Soleimani was “more dangerous” to his enemies than “General” Soleimani.

Ansari, who also heads J&K Ittihadul Muslimeen, a prominent socio-religious organization in the Muslim-majority region, describe General Soleimani as a “powerful” and “mysterious” figure.

“His legend has reached almost mythical proportions inside and outside of Middle East,” Ansari told Press TV website, eulogizing the role played by Soleimani and his associates, most notably the top Iraqi anti-terror commander, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, in plotting the downfall and defeat of Daesh.

'Lynchpin of resistance axis': World pays tribute to Gen. Soleimani

On the second anniversary of the passing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani and his associates, Press TV website spoke to a cross-section of people from different countries on his life and legacy.

J&K IttIhadul Muslimeen held a prayer meeting in the memory General Soleimani and Abu Mahdi in north Kashmir’s Sopore town on Sunday, where many speakers paid obeisance to the two celebrated anti-terror commanders on the second anniversary of their passing.

Many programs have been scheduled to mark the occasion in different parts of the region, organized by top religious, cultural and social organizations, including J&K Anjuman e Sharie Shiian, J&K Shia Association, Mutahhiri Fikri Saqafati Markaz, Bemina Development and Welfare Forum, among others.

Indian controlled Kashmir had seen massive demonstrations following the assassination of the two resistance heroes in a US drone strike near Baghdad airport on January 3, 2021.

One of the biggest demonstrations outside Iran were reported in Kargil, a mountainous city in J&K, with predominantly Shia population.

تظاهرات مردم کشمیر در پی شهادت حاج قاسم سلیمانی#کشمیر #کارگیل pic.twitter.com/n26KsLx0cH

— حامد هادیان (@hamedhadian_) January 3, 2020

A poster of Iranian Quds force general Qassem Soleimani, in #Kashmir on the first Anniversary of his killing along Iraqi PMF leader Abu Mehdi Al Muhandis And Associates in US Drone strike at Baghdad Airport. #Iran #TnxPOTUS4Soleimani #iraq #قاسم_سليماني pic.twitter.com/5KknQ7Ex1p

— Syed Shahriyar (@shahriyarsyed1) January 3, 2021

Kashmiris mark 1st martyrdom anniversary of Iran’s top comdr Gen. Soleimani, Iraqi comdr abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. #WeRemember #HERO #قاسم_سليماني @PressTV @Tasnimnews_Fa pic.twitter.com/C3NSUhE0qW

— Ovain Ali (@AliiOvain) January 3, 2021

To mark the second anniversary of their martyrdom, streets across the Himalayan valley are dotted with pictures of General Soleimani and Abu Mahdi, bearing testimony to their massive popularity in the region.

Meanwhile, tributes for the ‘resistance heroes’ have been pouring in from social media users in Indian controlled Kashmir.

Shaheed General Qassem Soleimani fought for humanity against "World Terrorism" so it is incumbent upon every human being irrespective of caste, creed, religion or region to make sincere efforts to avenge his murder from everyone who were involved in his assassination. #Hero pic.twitter.com/IPk9TwZ5zd

— Javeed Ali (@javeedalikmr) December 31, 2021

Shaheed General Qassem Soleimani fought for humanity against "World Terrorism" so it is incumbent upon every human being irrespective of caste, creed, religion or region to make sincere efforts to avenge his murder from everyone who were involved in his assassination. #Hero pic.twitter.com/IPk9TwZ5zd

— Javeed Ali (@javeedalikmr) December 31, 2021

World is not same since you left Sardaar 💔#قاسم_سليماني #قاسم_سلیمانی #Qassem_Soleimani pic.twitter.com/R9SOw0vWIr

— haideri tasaduq (@haideritasaduq) December 31, 2021

Recitation of Holy Quran♥️♥️ in memory of Martyrdom Of Hajj Qasim Solemonie by Maktab Imamia Zainul Aabdeen A.s ♥️♥️🤲🤲 Sanzipora Budgam Kashmir pic.twitter.com/4QotKIfPb0

— 🇵🇸 𝐊𝐇𝐔𝐃𝐇𝐀 𝐃𝐎𝐔𝐒 🇵🇸 (@KhudhaDous) January 2, 2022

Iran’s influence in Indian controlled Kashmir, a troubled region claimed in parts by both India and Pakistan, is rooted in the region’s long, eventful history.

However, since the 1979 Islamic revolution spearheaded by Ayatollah Khomeini, the influence has only increased, making pro-resistance commanders like General Soleimani popular figures in the region.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk