SRINAGAR: Addressing the gathering at the Astan Aliya Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani (RA) in Khanyar and paying tributes to Umm Ul Mumineen Hazrat Khadija (RA) on her Youm e Visaal, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq emphasised upon shifting the focus on self in the month of Ramzan and subsequent character building in the light of what Quran and Sunnah teach us in terms of the values, morals and ethics of a Muslim.
He reminded the audience that every individual is a part of the larger society, and when each person strengthens their own values and morals the entire society becomes strong and resilient and negative influences of corruption, malpractices, greed, addiction, alcoholism and such, have little impact on it.
Highlighting the need for collective responsibility, Mirwaiz said that while personal reform is the first step, the second step is to work towards building a society that is free from these harmful influences or, at the very least, resistant to them.
Referring to the “disturbing” Gulmarg episode, Mirwaiz said that while authorities cannot be absolved of their responsibility, it is also a reality that those who facilitated and organised the event belong to our society itself, and are answerable for their actions. “These people should understand that their pursuit of profit at the cost of the region’s religious and cultural ethos sets a dangerous precedent and undermines this precious heritage which is the guiding force that keeps people on the right path,” he said.
We do not need to do all this for “prosperity” and in the name of “modernity”. Allah has blessed Kashmir with natural beauty and exquisite crafts, which are sufficient to sustain its people with dignity, he said.
Mirwaiz urged the hoteliers and tourism stakeholders to act responsibly and avoid such misadventures that harm the valley’s heritage for financial gains. He appealed to the people to stay rooted in their faith and values, ensuring that society remains strong and principled.