Role of Islamic Seminaries

Darul Uloom Raheemiya, the biggest Islamic seminary of Kashmir located in Bandipora district, has yet again made a record as the highest number of people have gathered for 10 days at I’tikaaf at the institution. I’tikaaf—a sunnah, takes place during the last 10 days of Ramadhan when worshippers seclude themselves and devote their time to prayer, supplication, and reading the Quran. It starts from the sunset of the 20th day of Ramadhan and ends when the Eid moon is sighted. During I’tikaf, worshipers live and sleep in the Masjids. The biggest Islamic seminary has been playing a key role in spreading the message of Islam, peace, taught by our beloved Prophet (SAW). The other Islamic seminaries should also play a key role in spreading the teachings of Islam as the situation has been worsening on the ground in the Valley with Kashmir recording a rise in crime cases, drug menace and other related things. It has been for the first time that two back to back incidents of crime against the tourists have been reported in Kashmir’s Srinagar district while in one incident, two youth, who tried to snatch the bag of a tourist, were arrested on the spot. The Islamic seminaries have to play a key role at this juncture to put an end to the rising drug menace in Kashmir, which has been leading to the other crimes as well. The youth should be the prime focus for the Islamic seminaries and ensure that they are brought back to these seminaries so that the situation improves on the ground and also the precious lives are saved.