“Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with me.” This quote echoed softly through the ancient walls of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Srinagar this Easter Sunday, as the faithful gathered with prayers, candles and hopeful hearts. The cool April breeze carried with it the fragrance of spring blooms and something far more precious—renewed hope for communal harmony in the Valley of Kashmir.

Easter Sunday 2025 was not just a commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, it was a resurrection of religious tolerance, peace and inclusivity in the land that has, for decades, battled with the shadow of conflict. Once a place known for its syncretic culture where Sufism thrived, where Pandits, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians celebrated festivals together—Kashmir had witnessed a painful disintegration of that harmony through the 1990s insurgency and its bloody aftermath. But today, in the post-Article 370 Kashmir, with improved security, increased cultural engagement and the commitment of the common people to peace, a new dawn is visible.
This year’s Easter Sunday celebrations served as a powerful symbol of this transformation. In the heart of Srinagar, the Holy Family Catholic Church, nestled near the Press Enclave, stood bathed in morning light. For the first time in decades, local Christians joined by well-wishers from other communities filled the pews not with fear but with joy. The choir, mostly comprised of Kashmiri youth, sang "Hallelujah" as candles were lit and prayers offered for peace in the valley. Father Mathew, the parish priest, who has served the Kashmiri Christian community for over a decade, addressed the congregation with emotion in his voice. “This Easter, we feel that our prayers are not just being heard by God, but by the people of Kashmir too. We see our Muslim brothers visiting the Church to wish us. We see Sikh and Hindu friends sharing our joy. This is the Kashmir I prayed for.”
The Christian community in Kashmir is small, with estimates putting the number at fewer than 500 in the Valley. Yet their presence is deeply rooted in the region’s history. Missionaries from Ireland and Europe established some of Kashmir’s earliest modern schools and hospitals. St. Joseph’s School in Baramulla and Burn Hall in Srinagar remain iconic institutions that have educated generations of Kashmiris, regardless of religion. This Easter, many alumni of these schools, now successful professionals across the country, returned to the valley to celebrate not just the festival but the spirit of brotherhood. Arif Nazir, a Muslim and an alumnus of Burn Hall, brought his two children to witness the Easter Mass. “I studied here, I grew up with Christian teachers who taught me discipline, compassion and truth. I want my kids to know that religion is a path to love, not division.”
There was a time, especially during the peak of militancy, when Christians in Kashmir lived in quiet isolation, often reluctant to openly celebrate their faith due to fears of reprisal. Churches wore a deserted look and prayers were held in whispers. Today, there is a visible shift. Encouraged by the changing socio-political environment, young Christians are sharing their culture more openly. This Easter saw not just Masses but community feasts, charitable drives and interfaith harmony events held at schools and local halls. One such event in Anantnag, organised by civil society volunteers under the banner “Together for Peace,” included Easter egg painting competitions, interfaith poetry recitations and storytelling sessions on the shared spiritual values of all religions.
The revival of religious harmony in Kashmir isn’t happening in isolation. It’s the result of a conscious effort by civil society members, religious leaders and local administration to bridge gaps and promote interfaith understanding. Over the last few years, festivals like Eid, Diwali, Baisakhi, Christmas and Easter are being celebrated in public spaces with communal participation. The district administrations have actively facilitated such events, ensuring security and encouraging participation from all communities. This Easter, the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir sent greetings to the Christian community and ensured that churches were adorned with flowers and secured by local police with sensitivity and respect. NGOs like the Kashmir Interfaith Forum, led by local religious scholars from all major faiths, hosted a special Easter dinner in Baramulla where people of all religions sat side-by-side, broke bread and talked about love and forgiveness—the core message of Easter.
One of the most beautiful changes being witnessed in Kashmir is the shift from a narrative of fear and division to one of unity and development. The youth, who once were vulnerable to radicalization are now building startups, competing in UPSC exams and volunteering in social welfare. Religious harmony plays a vital role in this transformation. As people begin to see diversity as strength rather than threat, the poisonous legacy of communal mistrust begins to fade. Zareef Ahmad Zareef, a celebrated Kashmiri poet, aptly remarked at an Easter symposium: “Kashmir’s soul is not wounded beyond repair. It only needed the balm of love and now that love is flowing again.”
In Kupwara, a group of local Muslim youth helped repaint an old missionary graveyard and cleaned the compound of a small church. Their message was simple: “This is our shared heritage.” In Pulwama, which was once a hotbed of terror-related activity, a group of college students conducted a seminar on “Faith and Forgiveness,” where participants from Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Christian backgrounds spoke about what Easter means to them.
In Sopore, a town with a difficult past, Easter sweets were distributed among orphans by a group of interfaith volunteers who named their drive “Resurrection of Brotherhood.” Globally, Easter is known for its messages of sacrifice, rebirth and unconditional love. But in Kashmir, this message carries an additional meaning: it signifies the resurrection of the Valley’s pluralistic soul. By celebrating Christian festivals like Easter openly and inclusively, the people of Kashmir are reclaiming their legacy of coexistence.
As Father Joseph of Baramulla’s St. Joseph Church put it: “Our faith teaches us to forgive, to love and to believe in new beginnings. Kashmir is embracing that message. This is our collective Easter.” Despite the positive winds of change, challenges remain. There are still isolated elements trying to disrupt harmony through targeted misinformation, hate propaganda, or by attempting to revive separatist ideologies under religious garb. However, the collective will of the people, backed by a more responsive administration, stronger grassroots leadership and national solidarity, is proving stronger. One crucial area of focus is education—making religious tolerance a part of school curricula, highlighting shared histories and celebrating all festivals with equal dignity. The media, too must play a responsible role, showcasing such examples of unity rather than fanning divisions.
This year’s Easter celebrations in Kashmir have been noticed not just in India but globally. Messages poured in from the Vatican, international human rights groups and Indian Christian associations congratulating the people of Kashmir for their courage, inclusivity and hope. An editorial in a prominent Delhi-based daily noted: “What Kashmir is witnessing today is a spiritual renaissance—a grassroots movement of love. Easter in Kashmir is no longer just about Christians. It’s about all of us.”
As the sun set over the Jhelum River on Easter Sunday, the bells of the Holy Family Church rang out in joyous celebration. Outside, children from various backgrounds played with Easter eggs, elders exchanged greetings and the aroma of homemade Easter cake filled the spring air. In a place once torn apart by distrust and trauma, the resurrection of Christ is no longer just a biblical story. It is a metaphor for Kashmir’s rebirth. Kashmiris—Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and Christian are choosing faith over fear, harmony over hate and unity over division. And in doing so, they are sending a message not just to the rest of India, but to the world: Kashmir is healing. And this Easter, it stands as a glowing beacon of peace.