Mehbooba urges Kashmiri Ulemas to restore social values, resolve troubles

Panel formed to revise honorarium of Imams, salary of Wakf employees

SRINAGAR : Making efforts at addressing the issues concerning the Kashmir at the social level, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday turned to religious scholars, Imams and custodians of shrines, urging them to lead the society in getting it out of the difficult issues by showing the right path as they have been ordained.

Conceding that Muslim ummah around the world has been caught in a web of violence, Mehbooba stressed that it is their utmost responsibility prevent the society from getting drifted on a wrong track.

Recollecting her own bringing-up in the family of preachers and ulema, Mehbooba rued the loss of respect for the religious scholars in the society, as she insisted on restoring them for a better society in the Valley.

Addressing a gathering of Imams, religious scholars and executives of J&K Muslim Wakf Board here after lunching the plantation drive, the Chief Minister on Sunday said Islam is a religion of peace which laid down guidelines not for Muslims alone but for entire humanity and even for flora and fauna. She said Islam has laid ample emphasis on seeking knowledge and the ulema should spread this message so that Muslim community is able to get itself out of the difficulties it has been in for quite a time.

Quoting several verses from the Holy Quran, Mehbooba Mufti appealed the Imams and ulema to come forward and help the younger generation by showing them the right path as enshrined in the Holy Book and the teachings of the Prophet of Mercy(SAW). She said unfortunately Muslim ummah around the world has been caught in a web of violence and it is utmost responsibility of the religious scholars to help the society from getting drifted on a wrong track. She appealed them to teach and guide people on the issues plaguing the society like dowry deaths, harassment of women and other issues of Haquq ul Ibaad.

Terming Wakf Board as a community institution rather than an affiliate of any political party or group, the Chief Minister said she intends to develop the Board on most modern lines with the use of technology. She said many projects of massive community help are under consideration of Wakf Board which she hoped would be of great help to humanity.

The Chief Minister sought support from people in retrieving the Wakf properties from encroachments and putting them to proper community use. She said if the assets of the Muslim Wakf Board are properly maintained it can generate enough resources to fund many big community welfare initiatives. She reminded the audience that it was the then Government in 2005 which carved out two universities and a nursing college out of the Wakf resources which have now prospered as leading institutions in the State.

Mehbooba Mufti said that having herself been raised in the family of preachers and ulema, she is well aware of the respect and command they ought to have in the society. She said the loss of respect for the religious scholars in the society has led to societal decay and erosion of social values in the system.

The Chief Minister assured the Imams and employees of the Muslim Wakf Board that she is aware of their problems pertaining to honorarium, salary and other benefits and she would shortly be addressing the same.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister launched a plant drive by the Muslim Wakf Board. She also launched the logo and insignia of the Wakf Board on the occasion.

Later in the day, the Chief Minister, also the chairperson of the Muslim Wakf Board, convened a meeting of the members and directed revision in the remunerations of Imams of the mosques run by Board, while also constituting a committee to recommend revision of salaries of its employees, in a significantly major decision.

The committee to look into the salary hike of employees, as per the decision, has been asked to submit its report within 15 days.

In another significant decision, the Board also decided to enhance the retirement age of its employees from present 58 years to 60 years. The Board also decided to extend benefits of maternity leave from present 90 days to 180 days to its female employees as are available to women working in Government Departments.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister reviewed the status of Wakf properties and directed better upkeep of Wakf assets and their proper utilization for raising an adequate resource base for community welfare initiatives.

The Chief Minister asked the Wakf Board authorities to make concerted efforts for retrieving the assets of the Wakf Board and putting them to proper use. She directed preparation of an inventory of the Wakf assets and their proper watch and ward.

Mehbooba Mufti also directed review of the fire safety and security audit of all shrines and taking measures to prevent any incident in future. She also directed expediting the ongoing projects so that the newly created assets are thrown open for public. She directed maintenance of proper sanitation around the shrines and proper upkeep of parks nearby for the convenience of the devotees.

Earlier Vice Chairman, Wakf Board, Nizamuddin Bhat briefed the meeting about the initiatives of Wakf Board in retrieving the assets and rents payable from the tenants. Chief Executive, Fayaz Ahmad Lone and members of the Board were present in the meeting.