Shopian, Jun 14: To combat the rising menace of substance abuse, Jamiat Ahle-Hadith Jammu and Kashmir organized a comprehensive one-day seminar titled “Prevention of Drug Abuse and Our National Responsibilities” at Government Degree College (GDC) Shopian on Sunday.
The event witnessed massive public participation, hundreds of people, including youth, elders and community leaders from across the district, all gathering to address the critical social and health crisis.
A galaxy of prominent religious scholars (Ulamas) addressed the gathering, emphasizing the strict prohibition of intoxicants in Islam. They underscored how substance abuse damages the spiritual, moral, and social fabric of society, calling on families and religious institutions to actively guide the youth away from these destructive habits.
Delivering a comprehensive medical perspective, Dr. Zahoor Ahmad Parry gave a detailed presentation on the physiological impact of narcotics.
He illustrated how dangerous substances aggressively attack the central nervous system, destroy vital bodily organs, and lead to irreversible physical and psychological damage.
Echoing these concerns, noted Islamic scholar Molvi Muzamil Rashid voiced deep anxiety over how rapidly drug addiction is infiltrating the younger generation.
“We must act collectively to halt this spread before it consumes our future,” he urged, while extensively quoting Islamic jurisprudence to highlight the religious obligations of staying away from harmful substances.
Speaking on the occasion, Javaid Ahmad Wani, District President of Jamiat Ahle-Hadith Shopian, extended full organizational support to the government’s ongoing anti-drug initiatives.
He specifically highlighted the 100-day Nasha Mukt Abhiyan campaign launched by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
“We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the administration in this noble mission. It is a collective responsibility, and the public must extend their absolute cooperation to both the civil and police administrations to root out this evil,” Wani stated.
Prominent social activist Mitha Gatoo commended Jamiat Ahle-Hadith for taking the lead on such a critical social issue. He emphasized that religious scholars have a pivotal role to play and urged them to use the pulpits of mosques (Masjids) and other public platforms to continuously educate the masses.
While appreciating the Jammu and Kashmir administration’s ongoing stringent crackdown on drug peddlers, Gatoo also advocated for broader measures, calling for a complete ban on wine shops in the Kashmir valley to reinforce a healthier, addiction-free society.
