• Religious platforms used to warn youth
• Mobilise families and support enforcement measures
• Police hail move, see boost to anti-drug drive
Irfan Yattoo
Srinagar: In a major shift towards fight against drug abuse, mosques and religious leaders across Kashmir have joined hands with authorities to strengthen awareness and community mobilisation against narcotics, with Imams increasingly using sermons and public platforms to address the issue.
Officials said imams (who leadsprayers) and mosque management committees in multiple districts including Srinagar, Baramulla, Anantnag, Kupwara and Budgam are actively supporting anti-drug efforts by sensitising people about substance abuse and discouraging illegal cultivation of narcotics such as cannabis and opium poppy.
Religious leadershave called for a collective societal response, stressing that the growing drug menace requires coordinated action from families, communities and institutions alongside law enforcement.
At the grassroots level, imams said anti-drug messaging has now become a regular feature of sermons and congregational addresses.
MolanaMaqsood Ahmad, who is head Imam at Markazi Jamia Masjid Yadipora told Kashmir Horizon that drug abuse is affecting families across the Valley.
“Through sermons, we are urging youth to stay away from drugs and asking parents to remain vigilant. It is our responsibility to guide society on such issues,” he said.
Similarly, Maulana Nazir Attarihead Imam at Tapper Jamia Mashidsaid mosques have intensified outreach efforts. “We are consistently addressing the issue in our gatherings.
“The aim is to make people aware of the social, moral and legal consequences of drug abuse and encourage collective action,” he added.
Police officials described the involvement of religious institutions as a “significant boost” to ongoing anti-drug campaigns. “Mosques have deep reach at the grassroots level. Their participation strengthens awareness and encourages community cooperation, which is crucial in tackling the drug menace,” hesaudsaid.
Authorities said announcements through mosque loudspeakers are also being used to appeal to the public to report drug peddling and suspicious activities.
The messaging focuses on the harmful impact of addiction on individuals and families, as well as legal consequences under existing laws.
The development comes amid intensified enforcement measures across Kashmir, including arrests of drug peddlers, destruction of illegal poppy cultivation, and awareness programmes under the NashaMukt campaign.
Officials said the combined approach of enforcement and community engagement is key to addressing both supply and demand aspects of the problem.
While the police continue to crack down on trafficking networks, they emphasised that long-term success depends on sustained public participation. “This is not just a policing issue. It requires a whole-of-society response,” the officer added.
A police spokesman said that mosques across District Anantnag have extended full support to the ongoing efforts of the Police in combating drug abuse and illegal narcotic cultivation.
“During congregational gatherings and through loudspeaker announcements, Imams and mosque committees appealed to the general public to actively participate in the “war against drugs” and strictly refrain from engaging in or supporting any form of illegal crop cultivation, particularly narcotic substances such as cannabis and opium poppy,” he said.
The spokesman said the announcements emphasized the social, moral, and legal consequences of drug abuse and illicit cultivation, urging families and community members to remain vigilant and report any such activities to the authorities.
“We as J&K Police appreciate this proactive and responsible role played by the religious institutions. It is a strong example of police-public partnership. Such coodinated efforts are expected to significantly contribute towards the success of anti-drug campaigns in the region,” the spokesman added.
