Dr Darakhshan calls for intensified campaign against drugs & social evils in every sermon by religious preachers

“Imams and Khateebs are trusted voices of society; character-building and personality refinement of youth must be our priority”: Dr Andrabi

Srinagar, October 10: Chairperson of the Jammu & Kashmir Waqf Board, Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi, today chaired a special meeting of Maulanas, Muftis, Imams, Khateebs and Imam-o-Khateebs at the Waqf Central Office, Sonwar, Srinagar, to review and strengthen the ongoing campaign against social evils, particularly narcotics and drug abuse, across Jammu & Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by prominent religious scholars associated with the J&K Waqf Board, along with Board Members Dr Ghulam Nabi Haleem and Syed Mohammad Hussain Haqani, Special Officer Auqaf Dr Bashir Ahmad (JKAS), Executive Magistrate, J&K Waqf Board, Ishtiyaq Mohiuddin (JKAS), and Administrator Jammu, Aabid Hussain (JKAS). Other Muftis, Imams, Khateebs and Imam-o-Khateebs associated with shrines, Jamia Masjids and religious institutions across the Jammu Division also participated through video conferencing.

During the meeting, Dr Andrabi reviewed the efforts being undertaken by religious scholars and clerics to raise public awareness against drug abuse and other social evils. She emphasised the need to intensify the campaign initiated by the Waqf Board four years ago, given the growing importance of collective efforts to protect society, particularly the younger generation, from the menace of narcotics and other harmful influences.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Andrabi said, “The Waqf Board began this campaign four years ago, and now we need to intensify it further. Imams and Khateebs are the true communicators of society, and people have faith in their words. We must strengthen this collective campaign against drugs and other social evils. Character-building and personality refinement of our youth must remain the central focus of our Imams and Khateebs.”
She stressed that religious institutions and preachers have a vital role in shaping social consciousness, promoting moral values and guiding young people towards a constructive and responsible way of life. She called for sustained efforts through sermons, religious gatherings and community outreach programmes to educate people about the devastating consequences of drug abuse and encourage families and communities to actively participate in the fight against addiction. Prominent religious scholars who participated in the meeting included Moulana Abdul Rashid Dawoodi of Kaba Marg, Anantnag; Moulana Riyaz Ul Haq Noorabadi of Asari Sharief, Dargah Hazratbal; Moulana Amir Ud Din Shah, Mirwaiz of Charar-i-Sharief; Moulana Abdul Hamid Nayeemi, Imam-o-Khateeb of Zaldagar; Moulana Peer Hessain Qadri, Imam of Jamia Masjid Sonwar; and Moulana Syed Mudassir Geelani, Imam-o-Khateeb of Dastigeer Sahib (RA), Khanyar, Khateeb, Molana Farooq Naqshbandi Jamia Masjid Umar Rail Head,Jammu, Mufti Inayatullah Qasmi Jamia Masjid Talab khatikan Jammu, Mufti Manzoor Ahmed Jamia Masjid Sunjwan Jammu, Molana Syed Ahmed Jamia Masiid Malik Market Jammu, Mufti Mohd Ashraf MisbahiJamia Masjid Reasi, Molana Farooq Misbahi Jamia Masjid Poonch, Molana Farooq Naqshbandi Jamia Masjid Eidgah Rajouri, Molana Gulam Mohiuddin Jamia Masjid Kot Ranka Rajouri and Molana Gulam Rasool Jamia Masjid Ci ty Rajouri along with other religious scholars from various districts. The Muftis, Imams, Khateebs and Imam-o-Khateebs associated with different shrines, Jamia Masjids and religious institutions across the Jammu Division also joined the deliberations through video conferencing and shared their participation in the collective effort to combat drug abuse and other social challenges.
Chairperson underscored that the campaign must go beyond awareness and translate into meaningful community engagement, with religious leaders playing a proactive role in counselling youth, strengthening family values and fostering a healthier social environment. The meeting reaffirmed the J&K Waqf Board’s commitment to working closely with religious scholars and community institutions to strengthen the anti-drug campaign and promote moral awareness, social responsibility and the positive development of youth across Jammu & Kashmir.