“It was the best possible solution, as the mosque has a hamaam, which stays warm throughout the night,” said Bashir Ahmad, a local resident. The Jamia Masjid in Gund is located nearly 10 kilometres from the site of a terrorist attack in Gagangir, where six people, including five non-local labourers and a local doctor, were killed in October 2024.
A video showing the tourists spending the night in the mosque has since gone viral on social media. The tourists expressed heartfelt thanks to the locals for their kindness. “We were stuck in the snow, and you came to our rescue. We are extremely thankful to all of you,” one said.
Heartening to see Kashmiris opening their Masjids and homes to stranded tourists amidst heavy snowfall. This gesture of warmth and humanity reflects our longstanding tradition of hospitality and help in times of need. pic.twitter.com/pkEeF1oLBG
— Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) December 28, 2024
Another tourist added, “Everyone should visit Kashmir to experience its hospitality. Everyone here is kind, and it is safe to visit. Please come to this paradise on earth.”
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the chairman of the Hurriyat Conference, praised the gesture, describing it as heartening to see Kashmiris opening their mosques and homes to stranded tourists amidst heavy snowfall.
“This gesture of warmth and humanity reflects our longstanding tradition of hospitality and helping others in times of need,” he remarked on X.
PDP leader Iltija Mufti also took to social media to applaud the “humane” actions of locals in assisting the stranded tourists.
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“Stranded tourists in Ganderbal found an unexpected yet warm refuge at a mosque last night. Kashmiris aren’t only human, but humane too. I wish the media would stop perpetuating stereotypes that grab eyeballs and instead highlight how hospitable Kashmiris truly are,” Mufti posted on X.
Khursheed Alam, another PDP leader, praised the generosity of the people, who assisted stranded tourists despite the ongoing snowfall, which has disrupted daily life across the region.
“It is heartening to witness that Kashmir’s long-standing tradition of hospitality is alive and thriving. Despite the challenges posed by snowfall, including water and electricity shortages, the people of Kashmir have shown remarkable generosity, making the region proud once again,” he said in a statement.
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A separate video circulating on social media shows several tourist families, including men, women, and children, being hosted by a local family in the Kangan area of Ganderbal district after they were stranded due to the snowfall.
The tourists were full of praise for their hosts, saying, “They helped us in this difficult time. They are like gods to us.” Meanwhile, heavy snowfall had also left many tourists stranded along the Srinagar-Jammu highway and at tourist destinations such as Doodhpathri.
However, not all of the stranded tourists were complaining. “The car ignition isn’t working due to the cold, and we have to push it. But it’s fine; we’re enjoying it,” said a tourist from Haryana as he waited for clearance at Qazigund to head home.
Authorities, including the police and civil administration, have begun assisting the stranded tourists by providing hot drinks and other essentials to keep them warm.
