Onlykashmir.in News Desk
In what the organisers describe as a first-of-its-kind collective religious initiative, more than 70 major Friday congregations across Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh responded to the call of Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema Jammu and Kashmir. They delivered a sermon on the common theme of Imaan on Friday, October 16.
The coordinated effort covered all ten districts of the Kashmir Valley: Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal, Baramulla, Bandipora, Kupwara, Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian. It extended to Jammu, Rajouri, Poonch, Udhampur and the Chenab Valley districts of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban, and reached Kargil, Drass and Leh in Ladakh. Ulema, Imams and Khateebs of the Hanafi, Shia, Ahl-e-Hadith, Barelvi and Deobandi traditions took part. Despite differences in style and interpretation, they came together voluntarily to convey a shared message while upholding the independence and sanctity of every Mimbar.
Participating institutions ranged from major Jama Masjids and historic Khanqahs to Imambargahs and madrasas. They included the Markazi Jama Masjid Srinagar, Hazratbal, Khanqah of Hazrat Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani (RA) at Charar-e-Sharief, Jama Masjid Baramulla, Jama Masjid Anantnag, Central Jama Masjid Jammu, Jama Masjid Kishtwar, Jama Masjid Kargil and Markazi Jama Masjid Leh.
The sermons stressed that Imaan is the foundation of individual character, family life and the moral fabric of society, and that remaining steadfast on principles is a basic responsibility of every believer. Ulema said faith must be reflected in honesty, integrity and humaneness, and should never be compromised for worldly gain, position, personal interest or pressure. They also pointed to challenges facing young people, including materialism, weakening religious awareness, moral confusion and misuse of social media, and urged parents, teachers, Ulema and religious institutions to nurture young people’s faith through knowledge and compassionate guidance.
The initiative follows decisions of the MMU Ulema Conference on September 15, where representatives of different schools of thought resolved to address pressing religious and social concerns through designated Friday sermons, district-level engagements and sustained awareness. In its statement, the MMU said the response showed cooperation among religious institutions notwithstanding differences of Maslak and jurisprudence, and sent an important message of unity to the community. It said the spiritual, moral and social challenges facing society call for sustained collective effort and not isolated appeals.
The MMU said the programme will continue on designated Fridays. Topics outlined in the September meeting include unity of the Ummah, drug abuse, suicide and mental-health concerns, youth challenges, responsible use of social media, family values and environmental protection. Its stated aim is to turn the collective resolve of the Ulema into grassroots awareness and practical action, with mosques, Imambargahs and madrasas playing an active role.
