SRINAGAR: More than 70 major Friday congregations held across the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on October 16 delivered sermons focused on the common theme of Imaan, or faith. This coordinated effort followed a call from the Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), an organisation uniting clerics from various Islamic schools of thought in the region.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that clerics representing Hanafi, Jafferi, Ahl-e-Hadith, Barelvi, and Deobandi traditions participated in the initiative. The MMU stated that this demonstrated unity and a shared sense of religious responsibility while emphasizing the independence and sanctity of the Mimbar, or pulpit.
The sermons delivered during these congregations placed significant emphasis on the role of faith in shaping individual character, family dynamics, and societal values. Speakers highlighted the importance of honesty, integrity, and moral responsibility in daily life. A key focus was also placed on the challenges confronting the younger generation, including the pervasive influence of materialism, a perceived decline in religious awareness, moral ambiguity, and the inappropriate use of social media platforms.
Religious leaders and institutions present urged parents, teachers, and scholars to actively engage in safeguarding the faith of young people. This guidance was to be provided through comprehensive knowledge, compassionate counsel, and by setting exemplary conduct. The MMU described the collective response as a notable expression of cooperation among religious entities, transcending differences in religious traditions and jurisprudential interpretations.
This initiative stems from a Ulema conference held on September 15. During that meeting, representatives from diverse Islamic schools of thought resolved to address pressing religious and social issues through a coordinated approach. This plan included harmonized Friday sermons, district-level engagements, and sustained community awareness campaigns.
According to the MMU, the program is scheduled to continue on designated Fridays, with upcoming sermon themes slated to include the unity of the Ummah, the escalating problem of drug abuse, mental health and suicide prevention, challenges faced by youth, responsible engagement with social media, the reinforcement of family values, and the critical importance of environmental protection.
The organization further elaborated that the overarching objective is to translate the collective resolve of the Ulema into tangible, sustained public awareness, robust community engagement, and practical action. Mosques, Imambargahs, madrasas, and other religious institutions are expected to play an active role in facilitating these efforts across the region.
The Chenab Times News Desk