Iran’s move to invite Sunni Kashmiri leader Mehbooba is a message

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti along with others pays tribute to the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at his funeral ceremony in Tehran on Friday. Photo: @jkpdp X/ANI Photo

Former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who returned to India from Iran on Sunday (July 5, 2026), has become the first Sunni leader from Kashmir to join such a momentous event and therefore carries a new message from Iran.

Iran’s move to choose Mrs Mufti from among a number of Kashmiri leaders, including separatist cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, is highly sensitive to the symbolism evident in the verses played during dignitaries from various countries and is seen as “supporting Mrs Mufti’s Muslim-oriented politics”. The last rites of its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, must now change the position of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president in politics.

The invitee list was notable for the exclusion of Kashmir’s first political family – the Abdullahs – despite National Conference (NC) President Dr. Farooq Abdullah and his three members of parliament visited the Iranian embassy on March 10 and signed a condolence book.

During the four-month war between the United States and Iran, Ms. Mufti stood out from many other politicians in Kashmir. In the first, she made calls for public donations for Iran and its people. On numerous occasions, Ms Mufti publicly prayed for “Iran to emerge victorious”, praised the country’s “bravery and steadfastness” and called “Israel evil”. Ms Mufti also spoke out against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to visit Israel ahead of the Iran war in February this year, saying it “did not send a good message”. She also highlighted Kashmir’s bond with Iran in her speeches.

A senior political leader privy to the development said Ms Mufti’s stance on Muslim issues, particularly Iran, Palestine and Lebanon, had changed Iran’s approach to her in recent years, “especially after the Israel-Palestine war”. Her attire, where she usually wears a loose flowing head-to-toe dress according to Islamic edict, was “positively registered” by Iran.

“The biggest message from Iran to India in inviting Mrs. Mufti was to emphasize that the country does not see things only through a sectarian lens and supports like-minded leaders from other Islamic sects as well,” the leader added.

Ms. Mufti filmed her visit to Husayniah Jamaran in Tehran, which is the historic home of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who is considered the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the face of Iran’s 1979 revolution.

“Some places do not speak through their walls, but through the faith and sacrifice they have witnessed. Husayniah Jamaran’s visit to Tehran was a deeply spiritual and humbling experience. It stands as a timeless reminder that unwavering faith in Allah, resilience and commitment to justice can awaken a nation and inspire generations,” Ms Mufti said.

Ms Mufti, who was seen crying as she said her prayers at Khamenei’s casket, said she was leaving Tehran “with thoughts of Iran’s brave leadership and tenacious people”.

“We will always stand by you. Deep gratitude to the Iranian government for being such kind and warm hosts. It was an honor to be here,” Ms Mufti said.

Published – 06 Jul 2026 08:08 IST