The Muslim Personal Law Board (MPLB) and the Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU) held a joint press conference in Srinagar, expressing concerns on various pressing issues. The Grand Mufti Nasirul Islam highlighted the meeting’s concerns over the current religious and socio-religious conditions facing challenging circumstances in the region. Specifically, the statement expressed concerns over the WAQF Board’s bid to centralize all religious institutions, learning centers, mosques, and shrines in J&K under its control. Local mosque committees, shrines, and religious learning centers have alleged that the WAQF board is coercing the takeover of these independent institutions. The MMU urged the WAQF Board to refrain from pursuing this agenda and instead support local centers and mosque committees to thrive independently.
The meeting also protested against the prolonged detention of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr. Mohammad Umar Farooq. The participants called for the release of all prisoners and detainees, including Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir, so that he can fulfill his religious, community-related, and official responsibilities towards the people. Furthermore, the members expressed concerns about the rampant spread of drug abuse in the Valley and demanded strict punishment for those involved.
Notable personalities who participated in the meeting included Mufti Azam Nasir-ul-Islam, Moulana Showkat Hussain Keing, Moulana Khurshid Ahmed Qanungo, Agha Mujtaba Hasan Al Mosvi Al Safavi, Dr. Sameer Siddiqui, Mufti Irshad Ahmed Qasmi, Mufti Aijazul Hasan Banday, Sabat Shabir Qumi, Moulana Waris Bukhari, Qari Muhammad Aslam Raheemi, Moulana Noorani Naqshbandi, Mufti Shareeful Haque Bukhari, Moulana MS Rehman Shams, and other leading Ulama and Mashaaikh.
Overall, the meeting addressed several pressing issues related to religion and society in J&K. The participants expressed their concerns over the takeover of independent religious institutions and demanded the release of detainees. Additionally, they stressed the importance of addressing the rampant drug abuse issue in the Valley.
