Iran’s move to invite Sunni Kashmir leader Mehbooba conveys a message

Former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who returned to India from Iran on Sunday (July 5, 2026), has become the first Sunni leader from Kashmir to join such a high-profile event and therefore bears a new message from Iran.  

Highly sensitive about symbolism evident from the verses played during dignitaries of different countries, Iran’s move to pick Ms. Mufti from a range of Kashmir leaders, including separatist cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, is seen as “an endorsement of Ms. Mufti’s Muslim-oriented politics”. Her attending supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s final rites is bound to change the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president’s status in politics now onwards.

The invite list was conspicuous because of the dropping of Kashmir’s first political family — the Abdullahs — in spite of National Conference (NC) president Dr. Farooq Abdullah and his three Members of Parliament visiting the Iranian Embassy on March 10 and signing the condolence book.

During the four-month war between the United States and Iran, Ms. Mufti stood out from many other politicians in Kashmir. In a first, she made appeals for public donations for Iran and its people. On many occasions, Ms. Mufti has publicly prayed for “Iran to emerge victorious”, praised “bravery and steadfastness of the country” and called “Israel an evil”. Ms. Mufti also openly opposed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to visit Israel ahead of the Iran war in February this year, saying “it did not send a good message”. She also highlighted the bond of Kashmir with Iran in her speeches.

A senior political leader privy to the development said Ms. Mufti’s stand on Muslim issues, especially Iran, Palestine and Lebanon did change Iran’s approach towards her in the recent years, “especially after the Israel-Palestine war”. Her attire, where she mostly wears head-to-toe free flowing dress as per Islamic edict, too has been “registered positively” by Iran.

“The biggest message from Iran to India by inviting Ms. Mufti was to highlight that the country does not see things through a sectarian lens only and endorses like-minded leaders from other Islamic sects too,” the leader added.

Ms. Mufti filmed her visit to Husayniah Jamaran in Tehran, which is the historic home of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who is considered as the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the face behind the 1979 Iranian revolution. 

“Some places speak not through their walls but through the faith and sacrifice they witnessed. Visiting Husayniah Jamaran in Tehran was a deeply spiritual and humbling experience. It stands as a timeless reminder that unwavering faith in Allah, resilience and devotion to justice can awaken a nation and inspire generations,” said Ms. Mufti.

Ms. Mufti, who was seen crying while offering her prayers at the coffin of Khamenei, said she was departing from Tehran “with thoughts are with Iran’s brave leadership and resilient people”. 

“We will always stand with you. Deepest gratitude to the Iranian government for being such gracious and warm hosts. It’s been an honour to be here,” said Ms. Mufti.