SRINAGAR: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir, Molvi Umar Farooq, on Sunday expressed concern over the growing impact of online gambling, calling it a serious threat to the moral and social fabric of society. He urged the judiciary to take immediate note of the issue and impose a ban on the practice.
A new menace has overtaken us and we are witnessing its growing grip on society-online gambling. As destructive as substance abuse which we are already battling, it’s luring thousands into addiction as ‘entertainment,’ destroying them and their families and corroding our moral… pic.twitter.com/T7Yay3OTpx
— Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) May 26, 2025
“A new menace has overtaken us and we are witnessing its growing grip on society – online gambling,” Mirwaiz said in a post on X. “As destructive as substance abuse which we are already battling, it’s luring thousands into addiction as ‘entertainment,’ destroying them and their families and corroding our moral fabric.”
The Mirwaiz called for urgent government intervention and said that state response must go beyond economic development and infrastructure. “The government must act on it, it’s their duty. Development is not merely the economic upliftment of people or building infrastructure for them while they are morally and spiritually lowered and lost. That defies its purpose,” he said.
He stressed the need for a comprehensive response. “So comprehensive plan and actions need to be put in place to ensure that these serious concerns are addressed on urgent basis,” he wrote, adding that community involvement is also necessary. “At the community and social level, people also have to be proactive in dealing with this. All cannot be left to the government.”
Mirwaiz also underlined the role of religious leaders in tackling the issue. “Religious scholars have a key role to play in creating moral awareness about these issues in the light of religious teachings and values and disseminate the message among people through all mediums available,” he said.
The remarks were made while addressing youth during a Nikah Khutba, where he spoke on building lives based on Islamic values, self-control, and social responsibility.
“I also appeal to the judiciary to take serious note of this issue and immediately impose a ban on this menace before more damage is done,” the Mirwaiz added.
