Srinagar, Sep 20: Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Sunday called for imparting proper training to the younger generation alongside education to guide them in the right direction, as he addressed a grand Seerat conference at the historic Jamia Masjid here in which around 250 volunteers and over 2,800 children participated.
Speaking on the occasion, Mirwaiz said, I am really happy that so many children and girls are participating in this Seerat programme. Volunteers have told me that today approximately 1,600 girls and 1,200 boys are participating in this Seerat competition.
He said the participants had come not only from Srinagar but also from far-flung areas including Ramban, Anantnag, Kulgam, Ganderbal, Handwara, Kupwara and Bijbehara.
So many children have come here and are participating in this programme. I think that today’s Seerat programme is really trying to connect our young generation with Seerat. This is a part of that process, he said.
The Mirwaiz congratulated the volunteers of Masjid-ul-Ummah and Mirwaiz Foundation, saying, Approximately 250 volunteers are standing here today. With their efforts, today this magnificent programme is being held.
He stressed the need to discuss every aspect of the life of Prophet Muhammad.
This is the third year in a row that such a grand Seerat competition has been held. We hope that this will continue in the future as well, he said.
Underlining the importance of holistic development of youth, he said, If we want to guide our young generation in the right way, then along with education, they should also get proper training.
He said schools in the Valley impart education during the day while children go to mosques for half an hour in the morning or evening.
I think if we utilize the network of our schools in the entire valley in the right way, then whatever challenges we have in our society today with regard to young people, which we also talked about in the Ulma Conference the other day, we can find a solution for them as well,” he said.
Describing the event as a community effort, he noted that parents were waiting outside while their children participated inside. The whole community is coming together. People are joining from the entire valley. And a spiritual message is going from here,” he said.
The Mirwaiz congratulated the parents, the participating children and the entire team behind organising the event. (KNS)
