Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Kashmir Mosques Plan Common Monthly Sermons on Social Issues
Muslim religious leaders in Kashmir want to give the same type of Friday speech once a month.
The speeches will focus on problems affecting society.
These problems may include drug addiction, suicide, broken marriages and misuse of social media.
They may also discuss environmental challenges.
Sunni and Shia Muslims usually worship in different places in Kashmir, but participating mosques and imambaras could join this effort.
Religious scholars plan to visit districts and discuss the plan with local leaders and organisations.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said families should teach children good values.
He also said he invited Iranian leaders to Kashmir and supports solving issues through dialogue.
Muslim clerics from different sects in Kashmir agreed to deliver a common Friday sermon once a month across participating mosques and imambaras.
The sermons will address one social issue at a time, including drug addiction, suicide, marriage breakdown, social media misuse and environmental challenges.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said scholars will visit districts across the Valley to consult committees, imams and nongovernmental organisations.
The initiative will operate under the Muttahida Majlis Ulema, headed by the Mirwaiz.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also said he invited Iranian leaders to visit Kashmir and advocated resolving issues through dialogue.
- Who
- Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muslim clerics from different sects, working through the Muttahida Majlis Ulema.
- What
- They agreed to hold a common Friday sermon on one social issue each month, or roughly every month and a half, across participating religious venues.
- When
- The decision was announced on Friday after clerics agreed on it during the week; the sermons are planned monthly or once every month and a half.
- Where
- Participating mosques, khanqahs and imambaras across Kashmir’s Valley, with the announcement made at Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid.
- Why
- To raise public awareness, encourage social responsibility and address social evils, environmental challenges and social media misuse.
- Organising body
- Muttahida Majlis Ulema, headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq
- Frequency
- Once a month or once every month and a half
- Format
- One common khutbah, or Friday sermon, focused on a single issue
- Potential topics
- Drug addiction, suicide, marriage breakdown, social media misuse and environmental challenges
- Participating venues
- Khanqahs, mosques and imambaras
- Planned outreach
- Scholars will visit districts to meet committees, imams and nongovernmental organisations
- Additional diplomatic message
- Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said he invited Iranian leaders to visit Kashmir and called for dialogue to resolve issues