Srinagar, Jan 08: An awareness programme on the menace of drug-abuse was organised by a non-profit organisation, South Asia Center for Peace and Peoples Empowerment (SACPPE) in collaboration with Samaji Welfare Society, Pamposh Colony, Noorbagh, here on Sunday.
Samaji Welfare Society is an amalgam of various mohalla and masjid committees of Noorbagh area.
The programme was attended by the members of masjid committee and residents of Pamposh colony including youth, who pledged to fight against the drug menace.
Speaking on the occasion, Molvi Mohammad Arif, Imam-Khateeb Jamia Masjid Pamposh Colony stressed upon the people to adhere to religious teachings and pledge to fight against the menace that has engulfed people irrespective of age and gender.
“If we have to save our future generations from this menace, we need to give moral as well as religious education to our children. The Holy Quran is the best guide for us and we should follow its teachings in letter and spirit,” he said.
Other imams of nearby masjids who spoke on the occasion included Molvi Shahnawaz Ahmad, Molvi Aijaz-ul-Hassan Wani, Molvi Abu Baqar and Molvi Waseem.
They appealed to the people to come forward and play their role against drug menace. “Religious leaders have an important role and we will always be at forefront to fight drug menace,” they unanimously said.
Dr Asima Hassan, General Secretary of the SACPPE said the organization plans to hold such events besides mental health camps across Kashmir in coming months.
“The biggest contribution towards society in present times will be to approach solutions rather than discussing problems. The society at large is in deep crisis and we need to come up with solutions,” Dr Asima said.
She said the SACPPE is purely an initiative of like-minded people, who were contributing for holding such events. “Even the small contributions of the members are being deposited in a bank account and every penny spent is accounted for. Transparency and accountability will be the hallmark of the organization,” she vowed.
Zeenat Mukhtar, one of the members of the SACPPE, in her address said that the aim of holding such events was not just to spread awareness among people, especially youth, about the hazards of drug abuse, but to do follow ups to reach out to those who need help.
“The SACPPE will take such programmes to every corner of Srinagar and Kashmir and in consultation with concerned departments and organisaions will come up with a concrete roadmap to provide succor to those who have already fallen prey to the this menace,” she said.
To mention, SACPPE is a government registered, non-profit and apolitical organisation which is working for the cause of all round development of the society and promotion of education, research and learning.
