Central University of Kashmir (CUK) Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mehraj ud Din Mir, today asked the students and faculty of the varsity to inculcate and imbibe the teachings, virtues and moral values espoused and propagated by different saints of Kashmir in order to spread love, amity, peace and brotherhood in the community.Kashmir is called as the abode of saints and we should not ignore their immense contribution in spreading Islam and promotion and advancement of sectors including healthcare, skill development and preservation of environment,” Prof. Mehraj ud Din Mir said while presiding over a special lecture "Islamic Culture in Kashmir" delivered by Kashmir Society Chairman, Mr. Farooq Ahmad Renzu Shah at Nowgam-II academic block of the varsity here. The lecture was organised by the Directorate of Students Welfare.Registrar, Prof. M Afzal Zargar, Controller of Examinations, Dr. Nazir Ahmad Gilkar, DSW Director, Dr. Fayaz A Nikka, faculty members and students of different department were also present on the occasion.CUK Vice-Chancellor said the crime graph in Kashmir is at the lowest ebb as the people are still following the footsteps and teachings of these great saints.Commenting on the stereotyping of Muslims across the world and the recent incidents wherein Muslim families were de-boarded from aircrafts in few countries after “threat perception,” Prof. Mehraj ud Din said that Muslims are viewed with suspicion across the globe and it was high time for the intellectuals to inform and educate the people about the true meaning of Islam, which is peace, love, amity and brotherhood.
He said the Muslims can answer any query from the teachings of Quran and Sunnah.
Kashmir Society Chairman, Mr. Farooq Ahmad Renzu Shah, while delivering the special lecture said, Kashmir has been an abode of knowledge since times immemorial and the saints have played a pivotal role in the dissemination of Islamic teachings in the valley. “The saints have contributed by translating the message of Quran and Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and spreading the same among the masses,” he said, adding that these spiritual saints have always guided Kashmiris towards the path of Allah and righteousness. He said the Muslims in the contemporary times have to take the lead in spreading love and brotherhood in the world and regions wherein people are facing tremendous hardships and are suffering due to conflicts.Khwaja Farooq Renzu Shah also deliberated upon the role of several saints in economic and skill development of the people of Kashmir and also traced the history of Kashmir trough their contribution.Registrar, Prof. M Afzal Zargar while addressing the gathering said that with the advent of Islam in Kashmir, the lives of people changed drastically and for the better. “There was a perceptible change observed on the education, culture, politico-economics status of the people,” he said, adding that the saints and other spiritual personalities have contributed in the development of overall healthcare system in the valley. He named many great practitioners who have made a mark not only in Kashmir, but across the world, in the post-Islamic era of the Valley. He also underscored the rich tradition Kashmir boasts of in both pre and post Islamic culture of the Valley.
Controller of Examinations, Dr. Nazir Ahmad Gilkar, said that Kashmir is the land of Saints, Sufis. “It is bestowed with religious wealth in the form of numerous shrines and places of worship enjoying reverence and allegiance of people professing different faiths,” he said. Dr. Gilkar said that the people of Kashmir, particularly the students have to be informed about the role and contribution of these saints in the development of society at large. He also urged the students to study beyond the prescribed syllabi and learn literature, philosophy and history. DSW Director, Dr. Fayaz A Nikka said the objective of organising the lecture was to sensitize the students about the Islamic Culture of Kashmir. He said such lectures were important for the holistic and overall development of the students.The special lecture was followed by question-answer session.Cultural Coordinator, Dr. Ihsan Malik conducted the programme proceedings while as Assistant Professor, Department of Urdu, Dr. Pervez Azmi proposed the vote of thanks. (KNS)