Srinagar, Authorities have once again prevented Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, senior leader of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), from attending a significant seminar at the historic Islamia School in Rajouri Kadal, Srinagar. The seminar was organized to commemorate the martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed-e-Millat Mirwaiz Molvi Mohammad Farooq.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Mirwaiz Molvi Mohammad Farooq, a former president of Anjuman Nusrat-ul-Islam and a prominent Kashmiri leader, was assassinated by unidentified gunmen on May 21, 1990. His death was followed by the killing of seventy mourners by Indian troops during his funeral procession. Years later, on the same date in 2002, another Kashmiri leader, Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone, was killed under similar circumstances. These events have marked May 21 as a day of significant mourning and reflection in the region.

This year’s memorial seminar, titled “Our Society, Our Responsibilities,” aimed to engage students from various schools across the valley in discussions about societal issues. However, the current president of Anjuman, Mirwaiz Dr. Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq, who was scheduled to preside over the event, remains under house arrest, a restriction imposed since May 3. Authorities continue to restrict his religious, social, and official activities, forcing Moulana Showkat Hussain Keing to take over the seminar’s leadership duties.

During the seminar, students discussed the severe challenges facing Kashmiri society, including social evils, drug abuse, domestic violence, and rising suicide rates. They emphasized the community’s collective responsibility to address these issues. The event also recognized students who excelled academically, with awards and medals presented to those who distinguished themselves.

In his address, Maulana Showkat Hussain Keing criticized the restrictions on Mirwaiz Umar Farooq as undemocratic and expressed concern over the administration’s antagonistic approach towards Kashmiri leadership. He also paid tribute to Shaheed-e-Millat for his reformative contributions to Kashmiri society.

The seminar concluded with the release of the 2024 issue of the Nusrat-ul-Islam magazine, dedicated to Shaheed-e-Millat, and a collective prayer for all deceased leaders and supporters of the Anjuman.