As the war in the Middle East widens between Israel and neighbouring countries, the parents of the Kashmiri youth studying in Iran are concerned about the safety and return of their loved ones.
Iran is particularly famous for religious studies, and every year thousands of Kashmiri Shiite Muslims visit Tehran for religious studies, including MBBS, which is relatively cost-effective in Iran compared to other available options in the region.
The families are now worried about the safety of their children, as the recent escalation between Iran and Israel has further opened the possibility of a full-fledged war between the last remaining strong Shia-dominated Muslim nations in the Middle East.
The panic has further increased as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a direct threat to retaliate with all possible options as a response to Iranian strikes on Tel Aviv, which targeted the Mossad headquarters and IDF airbases inside Israel.
Iran fired around 200 missiles into Israel on October 1 in response to Israel’s killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and other commanders of the militant outfit. Following the Iranian action, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran will “pay” for it.
Dr Syed Shiraz, a resident of Dab village in the Ganderbal district, told reporters, “My daughter’s college is around 150 km from Tehran. There is tension in the capital city of Iran and the neighbouring countries too.”
Aijaz Ahmed Haji, a resident of Saida Kadal locality of interior Srinagar, was quoted by a local daily saying, “My two brothers—Imran Hussain and Bilal Ahmed—are pursuing religious education in Iran.
I have not spoken to my siblings for the past four days, and I am anxious. There are protests, the shops are shut, and the country is mourning over the demise of Hezbollah supremo Syed Hassan Nasrallah.”
The parents have now started pleading their case with the Ministry of External Affairs for the safe return of their loved ones in case the war spreads in the region.
While the threat of escalation remains hovering over the millions of Iranians and Israeli citizens, both countries have maintained that any further action will lead to an all-out war.
Israel, with US help, is planning retaliatory strikes on suspected Iranian nuclear sites and oil facilities.
Iran, on the other hand, has issued a stern warning that any misadventure will lead to catastrophic consequences, as they have also hinted at striking Israel's Dimona nuclear facility.
The world community is constantly seeking to de-escalate the tensions between the two arch-rivals. The Iranian side has requested India, China, and Russia to ease the tensions.
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