Harmonious Unity: Muslim Teenager’s Pahari Rendition of Ram ‘Bhajan’ Strikes a Chord Online

SRINAGAR  – In a heartwarming display of cultural harmony, Syeda Batool Zehra, a 19-year-old Muslim college student from Jammu and Kashmir’s Uri tehsil, has garnered widespread appreciation for her soulful rendition of a Ram ‘bhajan’ in the Pahari language. Zehra’s musical tribute gained momentum online, capturing the hearts of netizens just days before the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Inspired by singer Jubin Nautiyal’s rendition, Zehra expressed her creative journey, stating, “I sang a Ram Bhajan which has gone viral.” Having initially performed it in Hindi, she later decided to translate and adapt it into her native Pahari language, crafting a four-line bhajan that she shared on various online platforms.

Speaking at a public durbar organized by the police department in Kupwara, where she met Director General of Police R R Swain, Zehra emphasized the inclusivity of her musical expression. She remarked, “I don’t see anything wrong in singing a ‘bhajan’ despite being a Muslim.” Drawing parallels to unity in diversity, she highlighted the teachings of Imam Hussain and the positive example set by the local LG, who, despite being Hindu, prioritizes development without discrimination.

“Our LG is a Hindu, but he does not discriminate against us on the basis of religion while carrying out development work. Our Imam Hussain has also taught us that the followers of the Prophet love the country in which they live,” Zehra shared, emphasizing the unity among people of different faiths.

Expressing her appreciation for the cooperative spirit within the community, she concluded, “It is also our duty to cooperate with them because I believe that Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians are brothers.” As the nation eagerly awaits the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple on January 22, Zehra’s musical tribute stands as a testament to the rich tapestry of unity prevailing amidst cultural diversity.