The Unbroken Song of a People
Kashmir’s valleys echo with beauty and sorrow. Beneath the mountains and flowing rivers, there lives a people whose faith has endured decades of hardship. Through every trial, they have turned pain into poetry and grief into prayer. Words have become their refuge.
Among those who gave voice to their struggle was Habib Jalib, a poet who refused to be silenced. His verses became the language of the oppressed, the melody of those who could not speak freely. To read his poetry is to understand the heart of a people who never stopped believing in freedom and dignity.
For many in Kashmir, Jalib’s words became a shield against despair. For those of us in the UK who trace our roots to these valleys, his legacy reminds us of our duty: to protect the identity, faith, and culture of our people through compassion and action.
💷 Gift Aid adds 25% extra at no cost to you.
Kashmir’s Long Road of Struggle
Kashmir’s story is one of unending resilience. After 1947, when the subcontinent was divided, the region was caught in a struggle for belonging. Its Muslim majority yearned for self-determination, yet their aspirations were ignored. Generations have since grown up under curfews, surveillance, and fear.
Despite these challenges, Kashmir’s people never allowed their spirit to be broken. In every home, verses and prayers replaced silence. Poetry became both protest and survival. From the bazaars of Muzaffarabad to the mountains of Neelum, words became the heartbeat of resistance.
The strength of Kashmir is not found in its politics but in its people — mothers who raise children with hope, students who write poems under candlelight, and elders who still tell stories of peace and faith.
Habib Jalib – A Voice of Defiance and Faith
Habib Jalib was more than a poet. He was a conscience for the forgotten. Born in pre-partition India and later living through Pakistan’s turbulent politics, he wrote for those without power. His defiance against tyranny made him beloved among ordinary people.
When Jalib spoke of Kashmir, he spoke not of land but of humanity. His poetry cut through political propaganda and reminded the world that the people of Kashmir were not statistics, but families longing for peace and justice.
He once wrote: “The light will shine again, the truth cannot be chained.”
That light, dimmed by decades of conflict, still flickers in the hearts of young Kashmiris today.
Jalib’s poetry reminds us that real freedom begins in the mind. His words continue to inspire students, writers, and activists who see in his verses the courage to speak truth to power.
The Meaning of Saif-ul-Malook
Long before Jalib’s revolutionary pen, another Kashmiri poet shaped the soul of the region, Mian Muhammad Baksh. His masterpiece, Saif-ul-Malook, written in Khari Shareef, Mirpur, is among the most cherished works of Sufi literature.
At first, the poem appears to be a tale of love between Prince Saif and Badi-ul-Jamal, a fairy princess. Yet beneath the story lies deep symbolism. The prince represents the seeker of truth, while Badi-ul-Jamal symbolises divine grace. Their union reflects the soul’s reunion with its Creator.
Every challenge Saif faces mirrors the trials of faith: the struggle against temptation, the fight to overcome arrogance, the need for patience in the face of despair.
This timeless poem reminds us that the journey to spiritual enlightenment is also the journey of Kashmir itself. Just as the prince endures countless trials before finding peace, the people of Kashmir continue their struggle with steadfast faith.
💷 Gift Aid adds 25% extra at no cost to you.
The Power of Poetry in Preserving Identity
For Kashmiris, poetry is more than art. It is memory. When a people lose their voice, poetry keeps it alive. From Habib Jalib’s defiant lines to Mian Muhammad Baksh’s spiritual verses, poetry binds generations together.
Every poem recited in a classroom or sung at a gathering preserves a piece of Kashmir’s identity. These cultural expressions tell children that their heritage is not one of despair but of dignity.
This is why supporting education and culture is vital. Through the Empower Lives Campaign, the Kashmir Welfare Foundation helps young people in Azad Kashmir access education, creative workshops, and storytelling programmes. These initiatives give them the tools to protect their language, faith, and art.
When you donate to these causes, you are not only funding a classroom. You are protecting a civilisation of faith and resilience.
How UK Donors Keep Kashmir’s Culture Alive
Across Britain, many families still carry memories of Kashmir in their hearts. They remember grandparents who recited Jalib by lantern light, or who quoted Mian Muhammad Baksh during long nights of prayer.
These memories are more than nostalgia. They are responsibility.
When UK donors support projects in Azad Kashmir, they become the bridge between privilege and struggle. A donation from Birmingham can build a classroom in Bagh. A contribution from Glasgow can fund an art programme in Mirpur. Each act of giving helps the next generation inherit not only knowledge but pride in who they are.
Charity is not just about survival. It is about identity. Through Zakat, Sadaqah, and regular giving, you give Kashmir’s youth the chance to hold a pen, write their story, and reclaim their future.
Faith, Hope, and the Future of a Nation
The struggle of Kashmir is not only political. It is also moral and spiritual. Each poem written, each book opened, and each child educated is a small victory over despair.
Habib Jalib’s courage teaches us that words can change the course of history. Mian Muhammad Baksh’s wisdom reminds us that faith transforms suffering into strength. Together, they guide us toward a vision of Kashmir built not on pain but on peace.
The task before us is clear. We must support education, culture, and opportunity so that the next generation of Kashmiris grows with dignity and hope. Every donation you make is a verse in that unfinished poem of resilience.
💷 Gift Aid adds 25% extra at no cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Habib Jalib and why does his poetry matter to Kashmir?
He was a revolutionary poet whose verses gave voice to the oppressed. His words became symbols of defiance and faith for the people of Kashmir.
What is the message behind Saif-ul-Malook?
It teaches that true love is the pursuit of divine truth. The poem reflects the journey of the soul and mirrors the perseverance of Kashmir’s people.
How does poetry empower young people in Kashmir?
Poetry preserves identity and encourages expression. It allows children to connect with their culture and find strength through art and faith.
What does the Empower Lives Campaign support?
It funds education, art, and livelihood projects that help Kashmiri families build independent and dignified futures.
How can I contribute to preserving Kashmir’s heritage?
By donating through Kashmir Welfare Foundation, you support education and cultural initiatives that empower youth and protect Kashmir’s spiritual legacy.
💷 Gift Aid adds 25% extra at no cost to you.
One Response
[…] works of poets like Mahjoor, Abdul Ahad Azad, and Habib Jalib remain landmarks of cultural pride. Their verses often combine love for the land with reflections […]