Islam and Politics linked: Mirwaiz

Srinagar: Rejecting IGP Kashmir, SM Sahai’s Jamia Masjid siege remarks as “unrealistic and irresponsible,” Hurriyat Conference (M) Thursday said Islam doesn’t treat politics and Islam as separate entities and Muslim scholars and clerics are duty bound to raise “issues relevant to the society in their sermons.”

“ Not only the Mirwaizs at Jamia Masjid, but Ulemas have been raising and leading people in their political, social and religious matters for centuries at all the important religious places  because Islam is a complete way of life and politics,” a spokesman of the amalgam said

“The position of the Valley’s top Islamic leader (Mirwaiz) does not represent an individual but a movement and an institution responsible for leading people out of their issues and problems. It is unfortunate that the government has brought officers from outside who have no idea about these realities. The government should educate them about our centuries old traditions and culture rather than encouraging their activities aimed at damaging our values,” the spokesman said.

The spokesman while responding to Sahai’s allegations of Mirwaiz instigating violence on Eid said the procession from Eidgah to Lal Chowk was completely peaceful and it were some “unscrupulous anti-movement elements” who  caused damage to public property at Numaishi. “Not only did the Mirwaiz condemn the incident he also demanded an impartial probe into the incident for truth to surface,” he said.