In his Friday sermon at Jama Maajid srinagar today, Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq emphasised upon the alarming spread of drug addiction in Kashmir , mostly among the younger generation as a great challenge facing the nation , infact a national emergency.
In the light of Quran and Hadith , he highlighted the prohibition of intoxicants and their harmful effects on human life and society saying there is no allowance for the use of narcotics in Islam.
Mirwaiz said that each human life is extremely precious in the eyes of Allah and protecting it is the duty of every individual upon whom this precious gift has been bestowed. He said collective efforts to combat this grave problem is an urgent necessity of the time .
Sharing available data Mirwaiz said that a staggering 1.5 million young boys and girls in Jammu Kashmir have fallen victim to the addiction menace.!
“Given that Kashmir is a high-security zone , If 15 lakh people in the population are consuming drugs, is it possible that the supply chain to such a huge number of people is unknown ?
Without curtailing the supply end of the drug market chain, social initiatives, awareness programs, and rehabilitation efforts will not be effective “ he argued . Mirwaiz urged upon the concerned authorities to take firm actions to curb the supply of drugs. It’s their job to do so.
Mirwaiz called on parents -specifically emphasising that they should stay vigilant and be aware of their children’s activities and associations, and on all responsible members of society—including teachers, doctors , members of civil society, masjid imams, scholars, NGOs, mohalla committees and the government—to take this issue seriously and play their role in its curb and elimination.
Mirwaiz also stressed that student bodies in schools colleges and universities can play an important role in addressing this issue among children and youth , therefore authorities should immediately lift the ban on these organisations and allow then to be formed.
Later In his Friday speech, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, spoke about the condition of Kashmiri political prisoners, including the leadership, calling it deeply disturbing . “ Repeatedly, we have appealed to the Government of India for the release of these prisoners and youth, but instead further arrests of Kashmiris continue.
Referring to a series of articles published in a reputed national news portal , detailing the shocking conditions faced by Kashmiri political prisoners, especially in Tihar during the extreme heat , in overcrowded barracks, without coolers and low ceiling fans , high-voltage bulbs kept on at all times, trapping heat and making conditions more unbearable.
“This is extremely inhuman “Mirwaiz lamented. If authorities do not want to release these political prisoners, they should at least be treated humanely as per the international law on the rights of prisoners and the prison manuals.”
Mirwaiz said many of the prisoners, booked under the stringent UAPA and PSA have already served , eight and five year terms in jails and yet their cases and release are dragging on . Their health and their families are greatly suffering because of the delays and we once again appeal to authorities for their release.(KNS)
