India, March 4 -- Kashmir's chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Wednesday said that Muslims across the Jammu and Kashmir have shown unity in grief and condemnation over the recent developments in Iran.

In a statement, the Mirwaiz said that from the Valley of Kashmir to Pir Panjal and Jammu, Muslims across the Union Territory had shown unity in grief and condemnation over the recent developments in Iran.

He described the shutdown observed in parts of the region as a "peaceful and powerful expression of solidarity", reflecting what he called the moral conscience of society in standing against oppression.

The Mirwaiz said the right to peaceful protest and expression of sentiments must be respected in a democratic setup. He termed reports of...