Srinagar, May 19: Valley’s head priest and Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Thursday expressed concern over what he said, the growing social evils and moral degradation in the society and urged upon the people particularly parents to help in checking the menace. 

 “The moral degradation among the youth is one of the biggest challenges which society is facing. Instead of blaming the western countries, we need to do self-introspection and join hands and take measures for checking the menace,” Mirwaiz said while addressing a seminar Increasing moral degradation among new generation and measures to check the menace at Islamia School Rajouri Kadal in Shahr-e-Khaas.  

 The seminar was organised by the Anjuman-e-Nusratul Islam in connection with the 21st martyrdom anniversary of Moulvi Muhammad Farooq.  

 Quoting the recent Census figures, Mirwaiz expressed serious concern over the decline in sex ratio in the State. “If the trend continues, it will have serious consequences on our society. In a village of Rajasthan, a baraat came after over 110 years. We must take serious note of female feticide and strictly follow our moral, social and religious values,” he said. 

 Mirwaiz said a large number of youth have been addicted to drugs and wine. “Ironically, the Government maintains that it can’t stop the wine shops as it will affect its revenue. The authorities treat these unethical activities as semblance of normalcy. We welcome the construction of parks but it is the duty of the Government to ensure that they don’t become a source of waywardness and licentious activities,” he said. 

 Mirwaiz underscored the need to maintain a balance between education, technology and social values. “A family forms the basic structure of the society. When parents let even 10-year old boys to use mobiles, they have to see whether he would use or misuse it. So it is not the responsibility of a leader or Imams but the parents to keep a check on their wards. We have to maintain a balance between education, technology and social values,” he said. 

 Mirwaiz maintained that even if Kashmiris achieve their goal for which they have been fighting for past many decades, but in absence of moral, social and religious values, it would be futile. “Our society is at the crossroads and confronted with cultural, economic and political issues. We have to follow Islamic teachings and strictly abide to the social and moral values. We have to become a disciplined nation to achieve our cherished goal and ensure prosperity,” he said. 

 Mirwaiz said the Anjuman-e-Nusratul Islam would launch a campaign against the social evils across the State. 

 Earlier, students of various private schools spoke on various aspects of the social evils. There was a consensus among all the speakers that the mobile phones and internet particularly the social networking sites are contributing to the social evils and moral degradation in the society. 

 Leena Shakeel of RP School bagged the first position while Nafeesa and Mehreen Showkat of Islamic High School bagged 2nd and 3rd positions respectively.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 19 May 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 19 May 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 20 May 2011 00:00:00 IST