Triggered: Mumin Gul

© Mumin Gul, Faith in Chaos

Image and Text by Mumin Gul

Kashmir is a faith based society. The life; culture, and traditions revolve around religion. A region which is always torn by the continuous conflict, and everything that comes with it. The cost of living in the so-called 'Paradise on earth' is more than what meets the eye. The rising cases of mental health issues is a big concern. It is not the land that is beautiful but it's the people. Kashmiris are well-known for their hospitality. Outsiders often find it difficult to leave afterwards. Some visitors even coerce to make it their home.

The long dispute of Kashmir has made it a restless place to live in, which in turn leads to many mental issues. Faith here becomes a coping mechanism to channel out anxieties. A largely Muslim dominated state, where Islam is the way of life, mosques and shrines are a place of psychotherapy. It gives people a sense of belonging. Something to hold onto. It becomes their saviour in the continuous disarray.

For me, photography is more than just taking a picture. It is a way to take the viewer into a different world; to make them aware of the world they live in. I took this picture back in 2018 in Dargah, Hazratbal where annually, devotees from all over the Kashmir come to commemorate. I believe the best pictures find you and not the other way around. I was taking some experimental shots for my project, when I saw the woman in utter awe while looking at the holy relic. The expression on her face is what grabbed my attention. It felt like the world came together for me to make this picture. It was just a case of being at the right place at the right time. I remember going back home knowing I made a special picture.