Shopian, Aug 22: Prominent religious scholar Molana Mushtaq Ahmad Veeri on Saturday visited a private school in South Kashmir’s Shopian district, where he delivered a lecture titled “Roshni Ka Safar” and interacted with students on education, moral values and responsible citizenship.
Addressing the students, Veeri said education plays a vital role in shaping character and building a healthy society. He stressed that modern education should be complemented by Islamic education and moral teachings from an early age for the overall development of children.
The religious scholar also expressed concern over the growing challenge of drug abuse and urged students to stay away from drugs and other harmful substances. He emphasised the need for greater awareness, proper guidance and a supportive environment to protect young people from addiction.
Referring to the recent incident in Kishtwar, Veeri expressed grief and said such incidents were deeply painful and left society with serious questions. He called for collective efforts to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“We have a collective responsibility to ensure that such shameful incidents do not happen in the future,” he said.
Veeri also highlighted the role of parents in shaping children’s lives, describing them as a child’s first school. He urged parents to educate, guide and closely monitor their children to help them navigate what he described as increasingly challenging times.
He said addressing social challenges required coordinated efforts from all sections of society and could not be left to any single institution.
“This is not merely a social issue; it is a matter of humanity. Religious scholars, teachers, social organisations and committees, as well as those in positions of authority, must collectively play their role in addressing such challenges,” he said.
Veeri urged students to remain focused on their studies, respect their parents and teachers, uphold moral values and contribute positively to society.
