Srinagar, Sept 05 (KNO): Mirwaiz Umar Farooq extended heartfelt greetings to the Muslims of Jammu & Kashmir and the world, stating that true love and respect for the Prophet Muhammad(SAW) is not shown in words alone but must be reflected in following his noble teachings of truth, compassion, and service to humanity.
According to a statement, issued to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Mirwaiz during his Friday sermon at Jama Masjid said that the recent flood scare should serve as a reminder to both people and authorities.
"As a community, we have failed by encroaching upon flood channels and filling wetlands and narrowing the natural safeguards. The authorities too have failed by not carrying out timely dredging of the Jhelum, neglecting embankments, and ignoring comprehensive flood management-despite the painful lessons of 2014. Without such measures, even moderate rainfall causes waterlogging and submergence," reads the statement.
He stressed that dredging the Jhelum is essential-to clear the silt caused by erosion, to restore the river's depth and flow, to regulate the extraction of sand for construction in a sustainable way, and even to revive the river's historic role as a navigable waterway connecting the Valley.
He urged people to help each other in these trying days, standing by those whose homes and fields have been damaged.
He also criticised the authorities who for the second consecutive year have failed to reschedule the holiday of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) in accordance with the actual date, which is tomorrow and showing utter disregard for the sentiments of Muslim community on this revered occasion.
He said that this deliberate negligence is unacceptable to the Muslims of J&K who protest it strongly and also regretted the silence of the elected govt, which failed to take a stand on any issue pertaining to people of J&K—(KNO)