SRINAGAR: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq on Wednesday expressed concern over the rising incidence of suicides among young people and called for greater attention to their mental and emotional well-being.
Addressing a one-day Seerah seminar on “The Seerah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the Challenges Facing Today’s Youth” at Islamia Higher Secondary School, Rajouri Kadal, Srinagar, Mirwaiz said young people today face growing pressures from social media, digital distractions, materialism, instant gratification and uncertainty over their sense of purpose.
The seminar was organised by Anjuman Nusrat-ul-Islam, with students from various private educational institutions participating and presenting their views on challenges confronting the younger generation.
Mirwaiz cautioned young people against allowing social media influencers, online trends and algorithms to shape their identity, ambitions and understanding of success.
He said material achievement should not be the sole measure of a successful life, and urged youth to focus on character, knowledge, meaningful relationships, service and their contribution to society.
Expressing particular concern over suicides, Mirwaiz said no examination, failed relationship, rejection, unemployment, financial difficulty or temporary setback should make a young person feel that life had lost its value.
He stressed the need to address mental and emotional distress with compassion rather than stigma. Families, schools, religious institutions and society, he said, should create an environment where young people can speak openly about anxiety, loneliness and despair and seek counselling, medical assistance or other professional support when needed.
Mirwaiz said the Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema Jammu and Kashmir (MMU), which is scheduled to meet on September 15, would also discuss the growing concern over suicides, particularly among young people.
Referring to the life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, he said the Seerah offered lessons in patience, resilience, self-discipline, moral clarity, purpose and hope. He urged young people to use technology without becoming dependent on it, think independently and remain connected to their values.
In the student competition held as part of the seminar, Farhan Khan of Crescent Public School, Naseem Bagh, secured the first position.
Zainab Hameed of Motherland School, Nowhatta, and Mohammad Kamil of Green Valley Educational Institute, Illahi Bagh, jointly secured the second position.
The third position was jointly secured by Sheikh Mohammad Usman of R.P. School, Alamdar Colony, Aiman of Greend Land School, Hawal, and Tayyiba Jan of Islamia Higher Secondary School, Rajouri Kadal.
A special Seerah edition of the Anjuman Nusrat-ul-Islam magazine was also released by Mirwaiz during the programme.
The seminar concluded with prayers for the well-being and guidance of the younger generation.
