Srinagar: 17 July: Kashmir’s head priest Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in his mandatory Friday sermon, 18 July, delivered at Srinagar’s historic Jamia Masjid, said the sentiments of Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley were being hurt by proposed shifting of wine and liquor shops to the residential areas of Pantha Chowk.
The Mirwaiz said a delegation from Pantha Chowk, involving members of various Masjid and Mohalla committees, made a representation to him and noted with concern that ‘wine and liquor shops are being shifted to the residential areas’.
“Authorities should realise that Kashmir is a Muslim-majority region. Liquor is prohibited for all of us, as Muslims. We urge upon authorities not to hurt our religious sentiments,” Mirwaiz Umar said in his Friday sermon.
He also offered his support to the proposed joint strike called by the Mohalla and Masjid committees of Pantha Chowk against the proposed shifting of wine shops to the residential areas.
“We support the proposed joint strike of the people of Pantha Chowk. I also warn authorities that interference in our religious affairs will not be tolerated.”
The chief cleric also questioned “selective respect” shown for religious sentiments of other faiths.
“People of Kashmir will not accept the promotion of alcohol in Kashmir,” he said.
While addressing the Friday congregation, Mirwaiz said that delegation members conveyed their grave concern and anguish over the proposed relocation of wine shops.
“These densely populated residential localities are home to families, schools, masjids, educational and religious institutions, and public spaces. Relocating liquor shops into their vicinity will badly affect the social and moral fabric of the area, which is completely unacceptable to the people,” he added.
“Islam unequivocally prohibits alcohol and commands believers to stay away from it,” he said.
He added that the government, instead of taking steps to restrict the availability and consumption of alcohol, is “bringing liquor outlets closer to people’s homes, in complete disregard for the religious character and moral sensitivities of the society.”
He asked authorities to immediately withdraw its proposed project.
“Alcohol destroys individuals, breaks families, harms the youth and weakens the moral and social fabric of society,” he concluded.
Separately, the Mirwaiz condemned actions of the West. He said that the United States, Israel and other countries have “exploited many fault lines in the Muslim world to divide them. The Muslim world needs to unite. See how the West is committing atrocities in Iran, Lebanon & Palestine. Unity is the need of the hour.”
Questioning the government’s reasoning, Mirwaiz said: “If, due to the religious sanctity of the Amarnath Yatra, liquor outlets are considered inappropriate on the pilgrimage route taken by yatris, how is it considered appropriate to relocate them into residential areas where families—whose religion strictly prohibits alcohol consumption—live with their children? If liquor is inappropriate and harmful in both religions, why not ban it altogether instead ? Respect for religious sentiments should not be selective or time-bound.”
Last week, PDP leader Zuhaib Yousf Mir staged a protest against the proposed relocation of wine shops to Pantha Chowk’s inner areas. He said he was briefly detained at the local police station after being summoned.
