LETTER | The Association for Welfare Community and Dialogue regrets the video statement by Perlis Mufti Asri Zainul Abidin in regards to the war between India and Pakistan.

It is a pity that when there is war between countries, which could result in mutual destruction and is objectively immoral, there is a tendency to reduce the conflict to a simplistic subjective religious sentiment that blurs the complexity of responses towards the war.

By saying that India is anti-Muslim, the religious leader has failed to take into consideration the solidarity of Hindus and Muslims in India in condemning the terrorist attack in Kashmir that killed at least 26 people in the picturesque tourist resort of Pahalgam.

While it is true that the resistance to India's high-handed rule in Kashmir has to be addressed, the mufti should also listen to the sentiment of Muslims and Hindus in India who are dismayed by terror attacks in Kashmir.

It is obvious that the brutality and implications of the terrorist attack in Kashmir were not given their due condemnation in the video.

Being a religious leader, he should have called for dialogue between these two nations based on mutual respect and justice.

In any conflict or war that has a historical dimension, it is vital to understand the complexity of various variables and responses that have moral implications.

It would be wise to ensure that any statements issued are not seen to be biased and sectarian. 

Therefore, religious leaders should transcend sectarian sentiments and politics to get to the whole truth of a war with constructive solutions in mind.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.