Mirwaiz Umar Warns Against Alienation

Srinagar: Kashmir’s chief Muslim cleric, Mirwaiz Muhammad Umar Farooq, on Friday cautioned that the government’s current policies risk deepening alienation among the people of the region. He expressed particular concern over the recent banning of Darul Uloom Jamia Siraj ul Uloom under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967—an action he described as “deeply distressing” for the community.

Speaking from the pulpit of Srinagar’s historic Grand Mosque, the Mirwaiz said that the decision to outlaw the prominent Islamic seminary located in the Imam Sahib area of southern Shopian district has intensified fears that Kashmir’s religious identity and community-run educational institutions are being deliberately targeted.

He noted that hundreds of students now face an uncertain future, and the move has shaken public confidence. The administration’s order, issued last month by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg under Section 8(1) of the UAPA, cited alleged links to a proscribed organisation, financial irregularities, and concerns over the misuse of the institution’s premises.

The Mirwaiz referred to the rare public protests by students and parents a day earlier, saying their willingness to demonstrate despite the prevailing atmosphere “shows the urgency and deep distress” the ban has caused. He argued that the absence of widespread public dissent should not be mistaken for acceptance, but rather understood as a consequence of the lack of space for people or leadership to express disagreement.

According to him, resentment is simmering beneath the surface and could consolidate if the government does not reconsider its approach and allow such institutions to function normally.

He urged those in power to rebuild trust by revisiting these decisions, warning that policies perceived as punitive or discriminatory only widen the gap between the state and the people.

Turning to the issue of drug abuse, the Mirwaiz welcomed the government’s ongoing crackdown on narcotics networks, calling it a necessary step to protect the younger generation from addiction—one of the gravest challenges facing society today. However, he stressed that the roots of substance abuse in J&K cannot be understood solely through the lens of law and order. A generation raised amid political conflict, uncertainty, and limited economic opportunities, he said, is naturally more vulnerable to psychological distress, anxiety, and hopelessness.

He argued that while strict action against traffickers is essential, policing alone cannot resolve what is fundamentally a social and public health crisis. The youth, he said, need stability, opportunity, and hope—conditions that naturally steer them away from harmful substances. The Mirwaiz recalled that as early as 2014, the Muttahida Majlis Ulema (MMU), an amalgam of the region’s religious leaders and organisations, had launched a campaign against drug abuse, emphasising the role of mosques and imams in guiding and reforming society. Collective efforts, he said, remain crucial.

At the same time, the Mirwaiz urged society to acknowledge that addiction is not limited to narcotics. “Alcohol, too, is an intoxicant and a dangerous social evil”, he said, reminding the congregation that Islam has always prohibited intoxicants because of the harm they inflict on individuals and communities. He expressed concern over the increasing availability and normalisation of alcohol in J&K, pointing to official figures showing a sharp rise in licensed liquor outlets and revenue from alcohol sales.

He questioned whether it is coherent to fight one form of addiction while simultaneously expanding another. Citing examples from states such as Gujarat, Bihar, and Nagaland—where prohibition or strict restrictions on alcohol are in place—he argued that governments can adopt policies prioritising social welfare over revenue.

The Mirwaiz urged the administration to impose a total ban on alcohol in J&K as part of a comprehensive strategy to safeguard the youth. “Our youth need education, opportunity, counselling, spiritual grounding, and constructive engagement—not substances that destroy their future,” he said.