Bijbehara, Aug 30: A grand Deeni conference titled “Masajid Aur Ahtiram-e-Insaniyat” was held at Veeri Ground in Bijbehara area of Anantnag district on Sunday, drawing thousands of people from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
The conference was presided over by President of Jamiat Ahle Hadith Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Abdul Lateef Al-Kandi, and witnessed the participation of a large number of religious scholars, men, women and children.
Addressing the gathering, several ulemas stressed the importance of moral education, mutual respect, brotherhood and responsible behaviour in present-day society. They said Islam teaches people to respect every individual irrespective of religion and emphasised the importance of maintaining dignity and respect between elders and younger generations.
The speakers expressed serious concern over the growing involvement of young people in drug abuse and urged parents to play a more active role in monitoring and guiding their children. They said that with mobile phones becoming increasingly common among children, parents need to remain vigilant about how their children use technology and the kind of content they are exposed to.
The ulemas also appealed to parents to maintain close communication with their children and provide them with proper religious, moral and social guidance to keep them away from harmful influences.
Highlighting the role of teachers, the speakers said educators in schools, colleges and universities have an important responsibility in shaping the future of the younger generation. They urged teachers to impart not only academic knowledge but also ethical values, discipline and a sense of responsibility among students.
Speaking on the theme of the conference, Dr Abdul Lateef Al-Kandi highlighted the importance, sanctity and respect of mosques. He said a mosque is not merely a place of worship but also an important centre for the spiritual, moral and social development of the Muslim community.
He further emphasised the values of humanity, brotherhood, compassion, respect for the rights of others and helping those in need. He said Islam teaches its followers not only to worship Allah but also to treat fellow human beings with love, respect, kindness and compassion.
The conference also focused on emerging social challenges confronting the younger generation, including drug abuse and other harmful influences.
Later, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the conference, Molana Mushtaq Ahmad Veeri expressed concern over the growing involvement of youngsters in online gambling, describing it as another serious challenge facing society.
He said drug abuse continues to remain a major concern and called for collective efforts by parents, teachers, religious scholars and society at large to address the issue.
He said such conferences play an important role in creating awareness among people about contemporary social challenges and encouraging communities to work together for the betterment of society.
