Dr Darakhshan Andrabi Urges Religious Leaders to Step Up Fight Against Drug Abuse , Waqf Board seeks stronger community engagement to protect youth from narcotics and social evils
Srinagar, October 10: Chairperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board, Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi, has called for intensified efforts by religious scholars, Imams and Khateebs to combat drug abuse and other social evils, urging them to make public awareness and youth character-building an integral part of their sermons and community outreach programmes.
Dr Andrabi chaired a special meeting of Maulanas, Muftis, Imams, Khateebs and Imam-o-Khateebs at the Waqf Central Office in Sonwar, Srinagar, on Saturday to review the ongoing anti-drug campaign and strengthen collective efforts to address the growing social challenges facing Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Waqf Board members Dr Ghulam Nabi Haleem and Syed Mohammad Hussain Haqani, Special Officer Auqaf Dr Bashir Ahmad (JKAS), Executive Magistrate of the J&K Waqf Board Ishtiyaq Mohiuddin (JKAS), and Administrator Jammu Aabid Hussain (JKAS). Religious scholars and clerics associated with various shrines, Jamia Masjids and religious institutions across the Jammu division also participated through video conferencing.
During the deliberations, Dr Andrabi reviewed the efforts undertaken by religious leaders to raise awareness about drug abuse and other social problems. She emphasised the need to strengthen the campaign launched by the Waqf Board four years ago, highlighting the importance of sustained public engagement to protect young people from substance abuse and other harmful influences.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Andrabi said religious leaders enjoy the trust and confidence of the public and can play a significant role in influencing social behaviour and guiding the younger generation.
“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 said.
She stressed that religious institutions and preachers have an important responsibility in promoting moral values, strengthening social awareness and encouraging young people to lead constructive and responsible lives.
Dr Andrabi called for sustained awareness initiatives through Friday sermons, religious gatherings and community-level programmes to educate people about the harmful consequences of drug addiction. She also urged religious leaders to encourage families and local communities to participate actively in efforts to prevent substance abuse and support those affected by addiction.
Prominent religious scholars who attended the meeting included Maulana Abdul Rashid Dawoodi of Kaba Marg, Anantnag; Maulana Riyaz Ul Haq Noorabadi of Asari Sharief, Dargah Hazratbal; Maulana Amir Ud Din Shah, Mirwaiz of Charar-i-Sharief; Maulana Abdul Hamid Nayeemi, Imam-o-Khateeb of Zaldagar; Maulana Peer Hessain Qadri, Imam of Jamia Masjid Sonwar; and Maulana Syed Mudassir Geelani, Imam-o-Khateeb of Dastigeer Sahib (RA), Khanyar.
Religious representatives from the Jammu division included Maulana Farooq Naqshbandi of Jamia Masjid Umar, Rail Head, Jammu; Mufti Inayatullah Qasmi of Jamia Masjid Talab Khatikan, Jammu; Mufti Manzoor Ahmed of Jamia Masjid Sunjwan, Jammu; Maulana Syed Ahmed of Jamia Masjid Malik Market, Jammu; Mufti Mohammad Ashraf Misbahi of Jamia Masjid Reasi; Maulana Farooq Misbahi of Jamia Masjid Poonch; Maulana Farooq Naqshbandi of Jamia Masjid Eidgah, Rajouri; Maulana Ghulam Mohiuddin of Jamia Masjid Kot Ranka, Rajouri; and Maulana Ghulam Rasool of Jamia Masjid City, Rajouri.
Other religious scholars associated with different districts and religious institutions also participated in the deliberations, including through video conferencing, and contributed to discussions on strengthening the collective response to drug abuse and related social challenges.
The Waqf Board chairperson emphasised that the campaign should extend beyond awareness-raising and lead to meaningful community participation. She highlighted the importance of counselling young people, reinforcing family values and creating a supportive social environment that discourages drug use and promotes responsible behaviour.
The meeting reaffirmed the J&K Waqf Board's commitment to working closely with religious scholars and community institutions to intensify the anti-drug campaign, promote moral awareness and encourage greater social responsibility, with particular emphasis on the well-being and positive development of the youth across Jammu and Kashmir. ANB
