<p>This is the first time that Mirwaiz and Malik shared public space since September 2003 when the then Hurriyat Conference suffered a vertical split with Syed Ali Shah Geelani floating a parallel amalgam with the support of hardline elements.<br /><br />In his Friday sermon at Jamia Masjid in interior city, Mirwaiz welcomed Malik saying he had "exhibited positive response" to the unity appeal at this crucial juncture.<br /><br />"I am hopeful that other separatist leaders will also respond positively in the larger interest of the movement so that a consensus can be arrived at in bringing uniformity," Mirwaiz said.<br />Addressing the gathering, Malik also called for unity in order to achieve the goal of the ongoing movement.<br /><br />"Today, our struggle is peaceful and if attempts are made to crush it by use of force, the youth will be forced to pick up the gun again. The responsibility for such an eventuality will rest with the government," Malik said.<br /><br />Last Friday, the moderate Hurriyat had appealed for unity among separatists and sent two delegations to Geelani and Malik in this regard.<br /><br />Mirwaiz had requested them to offer Eid prayers at Eidgah as the first step towards unity. Although Geelani had planned to offer Eid prayers at Hazratbal, he urged the people to offer prayers at Eidgah minutes before his arrest on September eight.<br /><br />After the prayers, Mirwaiz and Malik jointly led a protest march from Jamia Masjid compound to nearby Nowhatta chowk. The protest rally dispersed off peacefully.</p>
<p>This is the first time that Mirwaiz and Malik shared public space since September 2003 when the then Hurriyat Conference suffered a vertical split with Syed Ali Shah Geelani floating a parallel amalgam with the support of hardline elements.<br /><br />In his Friday sermon at Jamia Masjid in interior city, Mirwaiz welcomed Malik saying he had "exhibited positive response" to the unity appeal at this crucial juncture.<br /><br />"I am hopeful that other separatist leaders will also respond positively in the larger interest of the movement so that a consensus can be arrived at in bringing uniformity," Mirwaiz said.<br />Addressing the gathering, Malik also called for unity in order to achieve the goal of the ongoing movement.<br /><br />"Today, our struggle is peaceful and if attempts are made to crush it by use of force, the youth will be forced to pick up the gun again. The responsibility for such an eventuality will rest with the government," Malik said.<br /><br />Last Friday, the moderate Hurriyat had appealed for unity among separatists and sent two delegations to Geelani and Malik in this regard.<br /><br />Mirwaiz had requested them to offer Eid prayers at Eidgah as the first step towards unity. Although Geelani had planned to offer Eid prayers at Hazratbal, he urged the people to offer prayers at Eidgah minutes before his arrest on September eight.<br /><br />After the prayers, Mirwaiz and Malik jointly led a protest march from Jamia Masjid compound to nearby Nowhatta chowk. The protest rally dispersed off peacefully.</p>