2 Muslim shrines bridge the divide

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Tangdhar, north Kashmir, Nov 14 (UNI) Two Muslim shrines -- one on this side of the Line of Control (LoC) and the other in Pakistan- occupied Kashmir (PoK) -- every year this week help to bridge the divide.

Hundreds of devotees visit every year from November 11 to 18 the shrines of Fatima Bibi at Sudapora, Tehri in the Tad sector of Karnah tehsil in Jammu and Kashmir and that of Siham Mitha Bazi at Treda Shareef in PoK.

Besides gathering at the shrines for the annual congregation and to pay obeisance, the devotees also get an opportunity to see their relatives, separated since 1947.

Many consider the river Kishenganga, which demarcates the LoC, as the villain because it prevents them from meeting or even coming physically closer to each other.

However, they take satisfaction in greeting and waving at each other from distance only.

The river Kishenganga runs along the LoC in Machil, Keran and Teethwal areas of Jammu and Kashmir and joins the river Jhelum at Domel near Muzaffarabad, the PoK capital. The river is known as Neelam on the other side of the LoC.

The people across the river also sit throughout the day to listen to 'Qawwali' songs organised on this side for the devotees.

The state cultural academy has organised several events during the congregation which is managed by a local village committee formed by the Army's 2 Dogra Regiment.