Inaugurates Masjid in Hawal Srinagar
SRINAGAR: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir, Molvi Umar Farooq inaugurated a newly constructed mosque in the Hawal area of Srinagar. The occasion witnessed a large turnout of faithful who gathered to listen to the Mirwaiz’s address, which focused on the vital role mosques play in not only religious but also societal development.
Mirwaiz emphasized, “As a Muslim-majority state, our strength should not merely lie in numbers but in our actions, reflecting unity, brotherhood, and mutual respect. We must stand together to thwart any attempts to sow discord or create sectarian divides among us.”
Mirwaiz stressed that mosques are not merely centers for offering prayers but hold a much broader role in the community as hubs of societal activity. Drawing attention to the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as a guiding example, the Mirwaiz remarked, “The Prophet’s mosque in Madina was not confined to acts of worship. It was a vibrant center where issues of economics, politics, spiritual guidance, and societal concerns were addressed. This model remains the best example for us to follow.”
Mirwaiz highlighted that Srinagar has a vast network of (approximately 1,450 mosques )that can be effectively utilized for community engagement and problem-solving. He called upon the youth and the community at large to use these mosques as platforms to tackle pressing issues such as drug addiction, social evils, and other challenges that plague society. He stressed the need for collective effort and coordination, stating, “If we can use our mosque networks to communicate and collaborate, especially engaging with the youth, we can effectively counter the menace of social issues. The mosque should be a center of learning, social change, and guidance for the community.”
He also advocated for the establishment of Maktabs (religious learning centres) within mosques, where children can gather after school for moral and spiritual guidance. This, he said, would help strengthen the foundational values of the younger generation while fostering a sense of discipline and community engagement.