Srinagar, Jan 27: Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G) on Friday said it’s the duty of every Muslim to protect the members of the minority community. He said asking a few persons to leave the state was no solution to the conversion controversy.
“We are not with the decision taken by the Sharia Court to banish a few persons from the state for their alleged role in conversions. Banishing someone is no solution. As Muslims it is our responsibility to ensure that we reach-out to our youth and create awareness about Islam,” Geelani told Greater Kashmir over phone from New Delhi.
He dispelled the notion that Christians were unsafe in the Valley. “They are a part and parcel of our society and it is our duty to protect them. No Kashmiri can ignore the contribution of schools like Burn Hall, Biscoe and Convent in the education system of the Valley. Unfortunately we have not been able to build educational institutions like these despite having all the available resources,” Geelani said.
Taking a dig at the state’s Wakf Board, Geelani said, “It (Wakf Board) has failed to live to the expectations of the people. It was the duty of Wakf Board to establish schools and educational institutions which could provide quality education to our children. One needs to ask them how many institutions they have established and how many of our daughters have they got married?”
Without naming anyone, he said, “People who are raising hue and cry about conversion issue have never dared to raise their voice against the atrocities committed against the common people.”
Geelani asked people to reach out to needy and help them. “We have been reiterating that setting up Baitul Maal, Mohalla committees and imparting the younger generation the education about Islam is must. I urge people not to waste time and do it. It is our duty to create awareness about Islam so that our younger generation remains on track,” he added.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:00:00 IST