Scrubbing Away the Gun: Why Kashmir’s Youth Are Eradicating AK-47 Tattoo | India Information
Whereas kids the world over are following the pattern of getting tattoos on their our bodies, within the Kashmir Valley, the alternative is occurring. Basit Bashir, a tattoo elimination artist in Srinagar, has eliminated over 100 thousand tattoos from each girls and boys. Curiously, many of the tattoos he has eliminated had been of AK-47 rifles.
Tattoo elimination clinics in Srinagar has turn out to be a hub for kids lately. Tons of of younger folks flock to the clinic day-after-day to get their tattoos eliminated. The tattoo elimination artist says that almost all of those kids both worry sporting rifle tattoos or don’t need to harm non secular sentiments.
Within the Kashmir Valley, folks with tattoos of arms and ammunition typically come below the radar of safety forces, which is likely one of the major causes for getting these tattoos eliminated. In the meantime, the artist additionally states that failed romantic relationships, in addition to non secular beliefs, play a significant function within the rising variety of tattoo removals.
Basit Bashir, the tattoo elimination artist, mentioned, “Tattoo elimination has turn out to be a pattern within the Kashmir Valley. Everybody who involves me for tattoo elimination regrets getting them within the first place. I’ve eliminated over one lakh tattoos and nonetheless obtain an enormous variety of shoppers day-after-day. Judging by the frenzy at my clinic, I imagine round 75 p.c of the youth right here have tattoos. The most typical tattoos are names, flowers, and AK-47s. Some folks have AK-47 tattoos on their necks, arms, or chests. Tattoos are thought-about haram in our faith. It’s not allowed to make tattoos on our our bodies, and many individuals remorse getting them after realizing this.”
In Kashmir, getting a tattoo is taken into account taboo, which is likely one of the explanation why not one of the folks coming for tattoo elimination need to communicate on digicam. Mudasir, who bought a tattoo final 12 months, realized after a 12 months that it’s towards his faith to maintain it.
Mudasir Ahmad, who had his tattoo eliminated, mentioned, “I bought a tattoo a 12 months in the past, and now I’ve determined to take away it. It’s not allowed in Islam, and that’s why I got here right here to get it eliminated.”
Islamic students and imams have categorically said that tattooing is prohibited in Islam. These students regularly give sermons in mosques, advising towards getting tattoos.
Altaf Hussain, an imam, mentioned, “Islam is a pious faith, and something that takes you away from it, reminiscent of getting tattoos, is discouraged. This pattern will not be solely towards faith but in addition results in varied well being points. Folks with tattoos can not pray in mosques. Dad and mom, particularly, ought to hold their kids away from this observe. All Muslims ought to avoid such issues.”
Whereas tattoo artists are operating a profitable enterprise within the Valley, it’s the tattoo elimination artists who’re getting extra shoppers lately.
