Terming Jammu Kashmir an example of sectarian and religious brotherhood, Mutahida Majlis Ulema chief, Mirwaiz Dr. Umar Farooq Sunday paid glowing tributes to the Ulemas and scholars for their religious contributions and said Islam is a religion that promotes brotherhood and respect for humanity.Mirwaiz said that for the Muslims of today only the path of quran and sunna which Ulemas, Awlias and religious scholars have been advocating over centuries can lead them to progress and prosperity.Addressing Imam-e-Azam Conference organised by Mohsin Alameen International Jammu Kashmir in Srinagar in which prominent Ulemas, religious scholars and intellectuals were present in large numbers, the Mirwaiz according to the statement issued to KNS said it was the collective responsibility of the Ulemas to dispatch their religious duties with honesty and not evoke sectarian passions, which could create sectarian and communal tensions in the region.
Calling for character building among the youth, he said the primary responsibility of the Ulemas should be to prepare youngsters mentally and stop them from taking the path of moral degradation, waywardness and unislamic behavior, which were the main reasons of the youth drifting from the true message of Islam and morality.Mirwaz said our beloved Prophet (SAW) has clearly sated that "best among us is one who possesses upright character and best manners "Calling the contributions of Imam Abu Hanifa toward Fiqah and Islamic jurisprudence as a shining light for the generations to come, he said Imam Azam spent his entire life making efforts for the understanding of religion to the common masses easy and gave them the credit for the clarity of thought on Fiqah and religion today.Mirwaiz said that Imam Abu Hanifah (R.A.) was the 1st of the Imams to advocate the use of “reason” in the consideration of religious questions based on the Qur’an and Sunnah.Thanking the Mohsin Alameen International for organising the conference on Imam-e-Azam, the Mirwaiz appreciated the efforts of Mir Syed Mushtaq Ahmad Hamdani and Mir Bashir Ahmad Kant. He said that by organising these conferences the young generation especially youth gets aware of the contributions and efforts which our Ulemas particularly great personalities like Imam Azam Abu Hanifa has made towards Islam. (KNS)