Srinagar, Apr 14: Expressing concern over growing social evils and moral degradation, Valley’s head priest Mirwaiz Dr Umer Farooq on Saturday asked Ummah to follow the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
 Speaking at Seerat Conference organized by Anjuman – e – Nusratul Islam at Islamia Higher Secondary School, Rajouri Kadal, Dr Mirwaiz said that “our society has been rotten by social evils.”
 “There is an immediate need to reform ourselves according to the teachings of beloved Prophet(SAW). Our youth have been trapped in vicious trap of drug abuse and immorality. We as a society need to redress these issues, for that we need to self introspect,” the Mirwiaz, who also heads the Hurriyat (M) faction told Greater Kashmir on the sidelines of the event.
 He said that the value for institution of marriage was day-by-day diminishing among the younger generation adding that dowry was a key reason for that.
 “In recent past we have observed that there are many marriages which didn’t last even for six months. Rate of divorces have increased in our society. We need to retrospect. Poor parents are not able to marry their daughter because they are not in position to give dowry. We need to rise up above these things and be a pious Muslim in all walks of life,” Mirwaiz said adding that in coming days Ulema council and civil society will have to raise this issue.
 While cautioning youth from falling into traps of Westernization, Mirwaiz said youth need to follow the teachings of Islam.
 “Parents too have moral responsibility. They need to be attentive about what their children are doing. It is parents who can give best teaching to their children. So in order to build strong nation, parents need to play proactive role,” he said   
 During the Seerat Conference students from different schools of the Valley participated. They threw light on” Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (Saw) on Humanity”.
 Mirwaiz gave away prizes to the best orators for their speeches. 
 Faisal Javid  of Madrassa Islamia Tral bagged first position while Faiza Rashid  and Junaid Farooq bagged  second and third positions respectively. 
 Mirwaiz’s close aide Advocate Shahid-Ul -Islam was also present on the occasion while talking to Greater Kashmir echoed the head priest’s views.
 “Cutting across individual ideologies people need to join hands to root out the evil of dowry and extravagance in celebration of marriages,” Shahid said.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 14 Apr 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 14 Apr 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 15 Apr 2012 00:00:00 IST