Srinagar, Nov 29: A clergy meeting in this summer Capital Tuesday called for an immediate halt on any practice, in schools or other educational institutions, which go against the religious principles of this Muslim dominated society.
 Prompted by reports of alledged conversions by some Christian missionaries –the Muttahida Majlis Ulema(MMU) –an amalgam of top religious organizations of Kashmir today held a marathon four hour meeting to resolve the future course of action.
 The MMU called for an immediate halt on holding of morning assembly prayers contradicting the basic Islamic teachings at missionary schools in Kashmir.
 Calling for the review of syllabus being taught in the educational institutions in Jammu and Kashmir, the MMU asked the state government to refrain from holding examination on Fridays to avoid inconvenience to the Muslim students in offering of the congregational prayers.
 Talking to Greater Kashmir soon after the meeting, Valley’s head priest  and Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said these measures were announced to “curb apostasy as well as to address the genuine concerns of people.”
 “It is not only duty of religious and political leaders to implement these(do’s and don’ts), but common masses should also come forward for the task,” the Mirwaiz said adding “We want to make it clear that we don’t have any enmity with any religion or religious groups as all people living in Jammu and Kashmir irrespective of their religion, are our brethren.”
 He said parents shouldn’t shy away from their basic duty of imparting religious education to their wards.
 “Imparting of formal education is not enough for our children and the need-of-the-hour is to give them proper Islamic education to imbibe moral values in them for becoming a good human being,” he said.
 The MMU, in its guidelines issued here called for immediate end to the school prayers, which are against the Islamic teachings.
 “Majority of the students in the private and government run institutions of the state are Muslims. And the literature promoted and prayers held in them, particularly missionary schools is against basic teachings of religion. So they should be stopped immediately and it be ensured that the prayers don’t contravene Islamic teachings,” the MMU said.
 The amalgam also called for the review of the syllabus taught in educational institutions to ensure that “it neither contradicts Islamic teachings nor fosters communal hatred or enmity”.
 It asked Kashmir University, Board of School Education and other examining bodies to desist from holding examination on Fridays.
 Calling for the creation of Bait-ul-Maal to help the needy, it asked Ulemas to raise awareness during Friday sermons and religious gatherings in their respective areas.  “The intellectuals, administration and heads of other institutions who are engaged with NGOs and promote apostasy and waywardness- intentionally or unintentionally-must refrain from their  acts,” the MMU said, adding that media should also play positive role.
 “We also appeal the parents to keep vigil on their children,” they added
 The religious amalgam also decided to extend full support to the hearing of conversion case by Mufti Bashir-ud-Din.
 During the meeting, a committee for monitoring implementation of the suggestions was also formed, with Mirwaiz Umar Farooq as its chairman and Moulana Rehamatullah Qasmi as president.
 Among others Zahid Ali spokesman of Jamaat-e-Islamia, Malik Ghulam Rasool President of Jamiat-Ahli-Hadith, Moulana Abbas Ansari President Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen and Advocate Shahid-ul-Islam attended the meeting.

CODE-OF-HARMONY
* All people living in JK irrespective of religion are brethren
* Parents shouldn’t shy away from their role in upbringing of their wards
* Syllabus taught in educational institutions should neither contradict Islamic teachings nor foster communal hatred or enmity
* Morning assembly prayers against Islamic teachings be stopped forthwith
* Imparting of formal education isn’t enough, need-of-the-hour is to give them proper Islamic education as well
* There’s a need to raise Baitul Maals at Mohalla levels
(Source MMU meeting resolution)

Lastupdate on : Tue, 29 Nov 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:00:00 IST