Srinagar, Oct 17 (KNO): More than 70 Friday congregations across Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh delivered sermons on Imaan (faith) on October 16, responding to a call by the Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema Jammu and Kashmir (MMU) to promote religious awareness and unity across different schools of thought.
In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), an MMU spokesperson said the first-of-its-kind collective religious initiative saw more than 70 major Friday congregations deliver sermons on the common theme of Imaan.
He said the coordinated initiative covered all ten districts of the Kashmir Valley—Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal, Baramulla, Bandipora, Kupwara, Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian—besides Jammu, Rajouri, Poonch, Udhampur and the Chenab Valley districts of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban. It also extended to Kargil, Drass and Leh in Ladakh.
The spokesperson said Ulema, Imams and Khateebs representing the Hanafi, Shia, Ahl-e-Hadith, Barelvi and Deobandi traditions participated in the initiative, reflecting unity and collective religious responsibility across different schools of thought.
Despite their distinct religious practices and interpretations, they came together voluntarily to convey a shared message on Imaan while upholding the independence and sanctity of every Mimbar.
He said congregations at major Jama Masjids, historic Khanqahs, Imambargahs, madrasas and other religious institutions across geographically distant regions heard a common message on the importance of faith and its preservation.
“The sermons emphasised that Imaan is the foundation of individual character, family life and the moral fabric of society, and that safeguarding faith and remaining steadfast on one’s principles is among the fundamental responsibilities of every believer. Ulema stressed that faith must be reflected by upholding values of honesty, integrity and humaneness in conduct, and should never be compromised for worldly gain, position, personal interest or under pressure,” the statement said.
The spokesperson said the sermons also highlighted challenges confronting younger generations, including materialism, weakening religious awareness, moral confusion and the misuse of social media. Parents, teachers, Ulema and religious institutions were urged to nurture and safeguard young people’s faith through knowledge, compassionate guidance and exemplary conduct.
He said the initiative followed decisions taken at the MMU’s September 15 Ulema Conference, where representatives of different schools of thought resolved to collectively address pressing religious and social concerns through designated Friday sermons, district-level engagements and sustained community awareness.
The MMU said the response demonstrated cooperation among religious institutions despite differences in Maslak, jurisprudence and religious traditions, sending a message of unity to the community.
Expressing gratitude to the participating Ulema, the MMU said the initiative reflected a shared recognition that the spiritual, moral and social challenges facing society required sustained collective efforts rather than isolated appeals.
The MMU said the programme would continue on designated Fridays, addressing issues outlined at the September meeting, including unity of the Ummah, drug abuse, suicide and mental health concerns, challenges faced by young people, responsible use of social media, family values and environmental protection.
It reiterated that the objective was to translate the collective resolve of the Ulema into sustained public awareness, meaningful community engagement and practical action at the grassroots level, with mosques, Imambargahs, madrasas and other religious institutions playing an active role in bringing about change.
Among the prominent participating congregations and institutions were:
Srinagar: Markazi Jama Masjid Srinagar, Aasar Sharief Dargah Hazratbal, Dargah Gousia Sarai Bala, Dastgeer Sahib Khanyar, Aali Masjid Eidgah, Masjid Sharief Tourist Centre, Darul Uloom Bilaliya, Darul Uloom Qasmiya, Hubbi Masjid Nowshahra, Bazm-e-Tawheed Ahl-e-Hadith Bazar Masjid, Mirza Kamil Hawal, Meerak Shah Sahib Shalimar, mosques affiliated with Jamiat Ahle Hadith J&K, Masjid Sharief Gole Market Karan Nagar, Jamia Ashraf-ul-Uloom Hyderpora, Madrasa Sabeel-ul-Huda Bemina, Markazi Imambargah Zadibal, Imambargah Rainawari, Jamia Sajjadiya Chattabal and Imambargah Ayatullah Syed Yousuf Bemina, besides other mosques, shrines and Imambargahs.
Budgam: Khanqah of Hazrat Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani (RA), Charar-e-Sharief, Jama Masjid Beerwah, Central Imambargah Budgam (Darul Mustafa), and Imambargahs associated with Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian, J&K Shia Association and Amoor-e-Shariah J&K.
Ganderbal: Jama Masjid Ganderbal, Jama Masjid Kangan, Jama Masjid Lar and Darul Uloom Naqshbandiya Rangil.
Baramulla: Jama Masjid Baramulla, Jama Masjid Sopore, Jama Masjid Kreeri Pattan, Khanqah Muradiya Pattan and Jama Masjid Uri.
Bandipora: Jama Masjid Bandipora and Darul Uloom Rahimiyya.
Kupwara: Jama Masjid Kupwara and Jama Masjid Handwara.
Anantnag: Jama Masjid Anantnag, Jama Masjid Bijbehara, Jama Masjid Bilaliya Qazigund, Darul Uloom Syed-ul-Mursaleen Qazigund, Jama Masjid Aishmuqam and Khanqah Hyderia Aishmuqam.
Kulgam: Jama Masjid Kulgam, Darul Uloom Kulgam and Jama Masjid Simnani.
Pulwama: Jama Masjid Pulwama, Khanqah Faiz Panah Tral and Jama Masjid Pampore.
Shopian: Markazi Jama Masjid Shopian and Jama Masjid Pinjoora.
Jammu: Central Jama Masjid Jammu, Makka Masjid Bhatindi, Jama Masjid Gujjar Nagar and other mosques across Jammu city.
Rajouri: Jama Masjid Rajouri and other participating mosques.
Poonch: Jama Masjid Poonch, Jamia Zia-ul-Uloom and other participating mosques.
Udhampur: Jama Masjid Udhampur and other participating mosques.
Chenab Valley (Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban): Jama Masjid Doda, Jama Masjid Bhaderwah, Jama Masjid Kishtwar, Jama Masjid Marwah, Jama Masjid Dachhan, Jama Masjid Batote, Jama Masjid Thathri and Jama Masjid Ramban.
Kargil and Drass: Jama Masjid Kargil, Imambargah Kargil, Jama Masjid Drass and other participating mosques and Imambargahs.
Ladakh: Markazi Jama Masjid Leh and other participating mosques and Imambargahs.—(KNO)