Srinagar, In a significant development for the Muslim community in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Umar Farooq laid the foundation stone for a new mosque at Athwajan, on the outskirts of Srinagar, emphasizing the need for inclusivity and particularly for ensuring women’s access to mosques.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the foundation laying ceremony was attended by a host of religious leaders, community representatives, and residents of Naz colony Sempora, marking a notable moment for the local Muslim community. In his address, Mirwaiz highlighted the mosque’s integral role not just as a place of worship but as a community center pivotal to addressing social, economic, and educational issues.

Mirwaiz’s message underscored the historical significance of mosques during the Prophet Muhammad’s time as community hubs, suggesting that the new mosque should follow this tradition by being a space that nurtures a vibrant Muslim community. Specifically, he pointed out the necessity of making mosques accessible to women, arguing that their exclusion runs contrary to the values of Islamic teachings and impedes the community’s development.

This call for women’s inclusion in religious spaces marks a progressive step towards gender inclusivity within the spiritual and social life of IIOJK’s Muslim community, highlighting a path forward that aligns with the foundational principles of Islam.