In a touching display of Kashmiri hospitality, locals of Gund on the Srinagar-Sonmarg highway opened the doors of a mosque to shelter a group of tourists stranded by heavy snowfall. It is to be noted that during the heavy snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir, around a dozen tourists from Punjab got trapped in the snow while returning from Sonmarg area on Friday.
As their vehicles got stuck in the snow and nearby hotels and local houses were too small to accommodate them, Gund residents opened the gates of the Jamia Masjid for them, allowing the tourists to spend a chilly night in the warmth of humanity, officials said. .
Bashir Ahmed, a resident, said this was the best possible solution as the mosque has a hammam, which is heated throughout the night. The Jamia Masjid at Gund is located less than 10 km from the site of the terror attack in Gagangir, where six people – five non-local laborers and a local doctor – were killed in October this year.
A video of tourists spending the night inside the mosque has gone viral on social media. The tourists thanked the local people for their help. A tourist is saying, “We were stuck in the snow and you came to our rescue. We are very grateful to all of you.”
Another tourist said, “Everyone should go to appreciate Kashmir’s hospitality. Everyone here is kind and it’s safe to visit. Please come to this heaven on earth.”
Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also praised the action and said it was heartwarming to see Kashmiris opening their mosques and homes to stranded tourists amid heavy snowfall. “This act of warmth and humanity reflects our age-old tradition of hospitality and helping others in times of need,” Mirwaiz said in a post on social media platform X.
Heartening to see Kashmiris opening their Masjids and homes to stranded tourists amidst heavy snowfall. This gesture of warmth and humanity reflects our longstanding tradition of hospitality and help in times of need. pic.twitter.com/pkEeF1oLBG
— Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) December 28, 2024
PDP leader Iltija Mufti also took to social media to appreciate the ‘humanitarian’ duty performed by the locals for the stranded tourists. Iltija posted on X, “Tourists stranded in Ganderbal found an unexpected but warm shelter in a mosque last night. Kashmiris are not only human but also humane. I want the media to stop promoting such eye-rolling stereotypes and instead highlight how hospitable Kashmiris really are.”
Stranded tourists in Ganderbal found an unexpected yet welcoming refuge at a mosque last night. Kashmiris aren’t only human but humane too. Wish media would stop perpetuating the stereotype that grabs eyeballs & instead throw light on how hospitable Kashmiris really are. pic.twitter.com/e703NkSdNw
— Iltija Mufti (@IltijaMufti_) December 28, 2024
Another video that has gone viral on social media shows a local family hosting several tourist families, including women and children, in Kangan area of Ganderbal district after they were trapped by an avalanche. Tourists were seen full of praise for their hosts saying, “They helped us through this difficult time. They are like gods to us.”
It is to be noted that heavy snowfall continued across Kashmir on Saturday as well. Due to this, hundreds of tourists from different places are said to be stranded at tourist hubs like Srinagar-Jammu highway and Dudhpathri. According to information, the police and civil administration have started reaching out to the stranded tourists, providing them with hot drinks and other essential items. Apart from this, the work of clearing the snow from the road is also going on at war level. -News-Patiala