Srinagar, Nov 13 (HS): Chief cleric of Kashmir Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday welcomed the Kashmir Waza Association’s decision to regulate the timings of wedding feasts, and said much more needs to be done to curb extravagance in marriage celebrations.

Addressing the Friday congregation at the Jama Masjid in Srinagar, he said the association’s decision to conclude late-night Wazwan dinners by 10 pm was a positive step towards bringing discipline and simplicity to weddings while respecting the dignity and hard work of the Waza community.

He assured the association of the full support of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU) for such constructive efforts towards social reform.

The Mirwaiz said that while the association’s decision was a step in the right direction, much remained to be done about growing extravagance, unnecessary additions to wedding customs, excessive spending and competitive displays of wealth, which he said have placed enormous financial and social burdens on families.

He urged society to preserve the beauty of its traditions while doing away with wasteful practices, and to make marriages simpler, dignified and affordable in keeping with Islamic teachings.

The Mirwaiz returned to the Jama Masjid after nearly two weeks of what he called arbitrary house detention. He expressed concern over the repeated restrictions on his religious and public activities, saying such measures hurt people, cause inconvenience and amount to unwarranted interference in the discharge of his religious obligations.

The pulpit of the Jama Masjid, he said, has always stood for upholding faith and speaking the truth that reflects people’s concerns and rights, a responsibility he cannot abandon.

He also regretted that the restrictions forced the MMU to postpone its first district-level Ulema meeting, scheduled for Nov 4 in Bandipora. Religious scholars were to discuss ways to take forward the body’s September initiative on social and religious challenges, including drug abuse, social evils, youth suicide and environmental concerns. Collective initiatives for social reform, he said, should be encouraged rather than obstructed.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Zahoor Hussain Bhat