Says mosques must engage with community realities
SRINAGAR: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr. Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq on Saturday laid the foundation stone for the expansion and reconstruction of Masjid Khulafa-e-Rashideen at Kadi Kadal, congratulating the local community on the initiative and emphasizing that a Masjid is not only a place of worship but also a centre for community engagement on daily issues—social, economic, and religious.
Addressing the gathering, Mirwaiz said that besides being a space for prayers, disputes among members of the locality can also be resolved at masjids through dialogue and mutual understanding, rather than immediately resorting to courts where both time and money are expended.
Referring to the historic Jama Masjid Srinagar, Mirwaiz said its pulpit has for centuries remained connected with the concerns of the people. “What happens in our society during the week—religious, social or political—must be discussed and addressed. Masjids cannot remain disconnected from the realities confronting its people,” he said. He added that Muslims across Jammu and Kashmir share a deep and historic bond with Jama Masjid and the institution of Mirwaiz. “As Mirwaiz, concerns of the people will continue to be raised from its pulpit.”
Mirwaiz also expressed concern over reports of mosques in different parts of India being subjected to disputes, claims, and legal challenges under various pretexts by right-wing outfits. He said places of worship must be respected and protected, and cautioned that such actions create insecurity and apprehension among communities, detrimental to communal harmony and peaceful coexistence.