Welcome to the Kashmir Wikimedia User Group, a dedicated community of volunteers committed to promoting open knowledge and free access to information about Kashmir, its culture, language, history, and people. We are officially recognized by the Wikimedia Foundation and are passionate about preserving and sharing Kashmir’s unique heritage through Wikimedia projects.
Our Mission
Our mission is to increase the visibility of Kashmir’s rich heritage by supporting the creation and expansion of free content on Wikimedia platforms, including Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, Wikisource, and other sister projects. We strive to make information accessible in Kashmiri, Urdu, and other regional languages spoken in Kashmir, ensuring that knowledge is inclusive and representative of our diverse community.
Our Goals
Empowering Local Voices: We aim to give a voice to local knowledge, history, and culture by encouraging people from Kashmir to contribute to Wikimedia projects.
Promoting Regional Languages: By fostering content creation in Kashmiri, Urdu, and other regional languages, we work to preserve these languages digitally and make knowledge accessible to more people.
Digital Preservation of Culture: We focus on preserving Kashmir’s cultural heritage, including folklore, traditional art, music, literature, and historical landmarks, on Wikimedia platforms for future generations.
Community Engagement: Through workshops, edit-a-thons, and training sessions, we aim to build a skilled, supportive community of contributors who can actively participate in Wikimedia projects.
Activities and Projects
The Kashmir Wikimedia User Group organizes various initiatives to engage and support local communities, students, and language enthusiasts:
Workshops and Training: Offering training on how to edit, create, and translate content on Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons.
Edit-a-thons: Hosting collaborative events to create and improve articles about Kashmiri culture, history, and notable figures.
Photowalks and Media Collection: Conducting photowalks to capture images of Kashmiri landmarks, festivals, and landscapes, which are then shared on Wikimedia Commons.
Language Advocacy: Working to preserve and promote the use of Kashmiri and Urdu in digital content by encouraging contributions in these languages.