Srinagar, Dec 6: Several organizations including separatists have criticized the National Conference president and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr Farooq Abdullah for his remarks, advocating the opening of cinemas and liquor shops in the Valley.
 Criticizing Dr Farooq, the Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Tuesday said Kashmir is an abode of saints and seers where there is no place for liquor shops and cinema halls.
 "It was the National Conference that got a bill passed on the liquor in the Assembly in 1978, and provided a constitutional cover to its sale and purchase in the state,” said Geelani while addressing a meeting of Hurriyat advisory council here today, adding “Liquor is the root cause of all evils and Islam has not only prohibited it, but also called it the mother of all evils. For it has the potential to harm social, family and moral life of people. This is the reason that all the religious scholars, preachers and leaders in the valley have never allowed this evil to flourish.”
 “By advocating sale and purchase of liquor in Muslim dominated region Dr Farooq has betrayed his own apostate mind and moral bankruptcy,” said Geelani.
 Reacting to the remarks, Jama’at-e-Islami J&K said, “Dr Farooq Abdullah by advocating to open the cinemas and liquor shops has expressed his inner self (reality) that he is just a tool of anti-human and anti-Islamic elements.”
 “Whether it is a liquor shop or present day cinema, both are the sources of propagation of obscenity, immorality and impudence. He may advocate opening of prostitute centers here in the future. In fact, this person has made it the mission of his life to propagate atheism in Muslims and whenever and wherever he gets a chance, he does not hesitate in promoting this mission.”
 “On the occasion of the birth-anniversary of his late father, he has proved himself a degenerated son by uttering such absurd words,” Jama’at spokesperson Advocate Zahid Ali said in a statement.
 Condemning the anti-Islamic suggestions of Dr. Farooq, Jama’at appealed to the Muslims in common and the Islamic Scholars in particular to fight these propagators of the devilish deeds.
 Ummat-I-Islami Jammu Kashmir president and Mirwaiz South Kashmir, Qazi Ahmad Yasir has also denounced the statement.
 According to a statement, Qazi Yasir chaired a meeting and said, “It’s our misfortune that in our nation we have people like Dr Farooq Abdullah who in a Muslim Majority state speak openly against the verses of Holy Quran and later follow the same Quran that asks to Offer Fateh Khawani for his father.”
 Mirwaiz asked Dr Farooq Abdullah to open his eyes and see the state was lacking basic amenities like water, roads and electricity.
 Qazi Yasir also condemned the use of force on Muharram processions.
 Reacting sharply to Dr Farooq Abdullah’s assertions that liquor shops should be opened to promote tourism in Kashmir, MLA Langate, Er Rasheed termed it “unwanted and illogical” saying the NC president had hurt the sentiments of people in Kashmir.
 In a statement, Er Rasheed said the Union Minister, who is heading the oldest regional party of the State, should not resort to such wayward statements which go against the religious and cultural sensitivities of the people of the Muslim majority State.
 “Dr Farooq’s advocacy of opening liquor shops at a religious and culture sensitive place is utter irresponsibility. As a senior politician he is expected to think twice before vouching for such suggestions,” he said.
 MLA Langate said at a time when the civil society and conscientious citizens of Kashmir were worried about increasing social crimes, advocating the opening of liquor shops amounts to “abetting the society’s moral degradation.”
 Criticizing Dr Farooq’s argument that opening of these shops and cinema halls “will boost tourism,” Er Rasheed said, “The tourists do not come to Kashmir to drink liquor and visit cinemas; they come to enjoy the natural beauty of this place. While every effort should be made to promote tourism, any action which goes against our religious and cultural sensitivities should never be allowed.” 
 He said the statement of NC president betrays the claims of State government headed by his party about working against the menace of drug addiction in Kashmir.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 6 Dec 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 6 Dec 2011 18:30:00 GMT
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