Kulgam, Kashmir — At a time when the world often appears divided by religion, politics, and prejudice, a heart-warming story from Kashmir’s Kulgam district has emerged as a beacon of harmony. It is the story of two elderly neighbors .. Bashir Ahmed Lone, a Muslim, and Paray (Pyaray) Lal, a Hindu , who have shared an unbroken bond of friendship, service, and humanity for 36 years and counting.

The story, recently highlighted by a social media influencer, has touched thousands of hearts across Kashmir and beyond. But beyond the smiles, videos, and warm praise lies a deeper truth about Kashmiri society — a truth that people often miss when they focus only on the surface. This truth is about the interior, the very soul and character of Kashmiris, where compassion outweighs division, and humanity rises above identity.
When asked to describe his bond with his elderly Hindu neighbor, Bashir Ahmed did not turn to any political or religious explanation. Instead, he smiled gently and responded in Kashmiri:
“Meh chun moanmout ki Hund ti musalman hund muskan chu alag alag. Asih sab baneiv ti Allah Taalaan.” The simple sentence reveals the depth of his wisdom.
“I have no idea that Hindu and Muslim smiles are different. We all are created by the same Almighty Allah.”
His words reflect the essence of Kashmir’s cultural spirit — Insaniyat, the belief that all humans are one, regardless of caste or creed. For Bashir, serving his lonely neighbor is not charity; it is responsibility, love, and brotherhood.
Paray Lal’s story adds even more weight to this friendship. His relatives migrated years ago, leaving him as the only Hindu resident in his immediate neighborhood. Yet he never felt the need to leave. Why?
When asked the same question about their bond, the elderly man responded with deep emotion: “Bashir Ahmed mere liye sab kuch hai.” (Bashir Ahmed is everything for me.)
He shared that in all these years, they never allowed religious identity to create a difference between them. He trusts Bashir more than distant relatives, and Bashir stands beside him through every need, every sickness, and every moment of old age.
The purpose of sharing this story goes beyond celebrating two individuals. It is a reminder to the world to look inside the real Kashmir — the Kashmir not often shown in headlines. The Kashmir where hearts are soft, where neighbors are family, where festivals, sorrows, meals, and memories are shared without hesitation.
Stories like that of Bashir Ahmed and Paray Lal exist not only in Kulgam but across the Kashmir Valley. Even many Kashmiri Pandits who migrated decades ago still maintain emotional ties with their Muslim neighbors, cherishing memories of shared homes, laughter, and childhood friendships. Many openly express their desire to return, even if only to sit once more in the old courtyards, drink a cup of noon-chai, and relive the warmth they once enjoyed.
This story proves that hatred is not born in the hearts of common people. It is absorbed through fear, distance, and misunderstanding. What lives naturally in the hearts of Kashmiris is love, compassion, care, and trust.
In an era where communities often drift apart, Bashir and Paray Lal stand as living reminders that relationships built on humanity last longer than all boundaries. Their 36-year friendship is not just a local story..it is a message for India, for the world, and for all those who believe humanity is fading.
May Allah bless these two souls, and may He remove from our hearts the bitterness that divides us. May this story inspire others to rebuild bridges, restore trust, and remember that before any label , Hindu, Muslim, or anything else — we are simply human beings, created by the same Creator.
This is Kashmir’s real identity.

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