Israel-Iran battle: Karnataka village anxious about security of family members caught in warfare zone

Iranian missiles are displayed on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Drive Museum in Tehran, Iran, which is locked in a lethal battle with Israel.
| Picture Credit score: MAJID ASGARIPOUR

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The individuals of Alipur, a village in Gauribidanur taluk of Chickballapur district in Karnataka, are an anxious lot. Situated round 70 kilometres from Bengaluru, the village is dwelling to almost 25,000 residents, of whom an estimated 90% are Shia Muslims. The neighborhood is anxious concerning the security of practically 100 villagers who’re caught in Iran amidst the escalating pressure with Israel.

These residents had travelled to Iran for varied causes, together with pursuing Islamic theological research, medical training, pilgrimage, and enterprise actions. With the area turning into more and more unstable, households in Alipur are gripped with concern and concern, hoping for the protected return of their family members.

Shafeeq Abidi, a well-known Urdu poet and former journalist from Alipur, defined the village’s long-standing cultural and spiritual reference to Iran. “Our historic affiliation with Iran dates again to the time of the Adil Shahi dynasty, which dominated the Bijapur Sultanate. As a predominantly Shia Muslim village, we share deep non secular ties with Iran, which is a Shia-majority nation,” he instructed The Hindu. “Lots of our youth journey there to pursue non secular research, and extra just lately, MBBS programs, as training in Iran is comparatively extra inexpensive.”

In line with Mr. Abidi, practically 50 Alipur residents are learning Islamic theology in Qom whereas about 15 college students are enrolled in medical faculties in Tehran. As well as, 25 to 30 individuals from the village are in Iran both on non secular pilgrimage or for enterprise functions in cities like Mashhad and Qom.

The villagers have been in fixed contact with their family members in Iran, and lots of have sought help from the Indian embassy in Tehran.

Maulana Syed Mohammad Yousha, the imam of Masjid-e-Jafaria in Alipur, instructed The Hindu that the Indian embassy has responded swiftly. “The embassy has been in contact with stranded individuals and has facilitated their relocation to safer areas. Many have been moved from Tehran to Qom with the assistance of native Iranian authorities. Nonetheless, we’re anxious about their security,” he stated.

Mir Ali, a resident of the village, expressed deep concern for his son Aman, who’s learning in Iran. “I spoke to him yesterday. Fortunately, he’s protected for now, and the Indian Embassy is in contact with him,” he stated, his voice crammed with fear.

“They’ve moved him to a safer location, and he instructed me there’s no war-like state of affairs as of now, however as a father, I can’t assist however really feel anxious. The state of affairs can change at any second, and being so far-off from him solely makes it more durable,” he added.

The villagers have taken steps to make sure the protection of these overseas. Anjuman Jafaria, a area people organisation, has submitted detailed details about the stranded people to the Indian embassy, native police, and officers of the federal government of Karnataka.

“We’re praying for his or her protected return. Their households listed below are nervous. Nonetheless, with the assist of the embassy and our continued communication with the individuals of our village, we stay hopeful,” added Maulana Yousha.