Hunderman Brok marks Death Anniversary of Ayatullah Sheikh Ali Najafi Brolmo with prayers and tributes

KARGIL: Religious scholars, community leaders and residents on Tuesday gathered at the Qadimi Imam Bargha in Hunderman Brok, a border village in Kargil district, to observe the death anniversary of Ayatullah Sheikh Ali Najafi Brolmo, paying tribute to his enduring contributions to religious scholarship, education, peace and social harmony.

Organised jointly by the Qadimi Imam Bargha and the Village Committee, Hunderman Brok, the commemorative programme brought together villagers, members of the scholar’s family and people from neighbouring areas to remember the life and teachings of one of the region’s respected religious figures.

Addressing the gathering, historian Mohd Sadiq Hardassi commended the Village Committee for institutionalising the annual commemoration of Ayatullah Sheikh Ali Najafi Brolmo, whose mausoleum is located at Brolmo in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan, nearly one kilometre from Hunderman Brok across the Line of Control.

Hardassi underlined the need to preserve the legacy of religious scholars who dedicated their lives to public service, education and social reform. He said scholars including Ayatullah Sheikh Hamza Faroona, Sheikh Ghulam Hassan Lhalung, Sheikh Mohammad Mufeed Chutumail, Syed Mehdi Saliskote, Sheikh Rehmatullah Yokma Akchamal and Sheikh Ghulam Hussain Karkitchoo had made enduring contributions to society and deserved similar recognition.

Religious scholars Sheikh Hussain Hairi and Sheikh Ali Mussa Irfani presented accounts of the life and scholarly work of Ayatullah Sheikh Ali Najafi Brolmo, highlighting his commitment to promoting justice, peace, harmony and religious learning. They appreciated the organisers for continuing efforts to preserve the memory of scholars whose teachings continue to inspire successive generations.

Representatives of divided families, including Abul Hassan from Poyen and Master Mohammad Sadiq, described the occasion as particularly meaningful because it was held adjacent to the Line of Control at the historic Imam Bargha whose foundation stone, they said, had been laid by Ayatullah Sheikh Ali Najafi Brolmo. They observed that such commemorations help preserve shared cultural and religious heritage while strengthening bonds among communities separated by political boundaries.

Speakers also recalled that Ayatullah Sheikh Ali Najafi Brolmo was held in high regard not only within the Muslim community but also among local Buddhists, who affectionately referred to him as “Nima Ali” in recognition of his fairness, wisdom and compassion.

The programme concluded with special prayers for peace, communal harmony, prosperity and unity, with participants reaffirming the importance of preserving the legacy of religious scholars who shaped the social and spiritual life of the region.