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Being at
the cross-roads of various World Civilizations,
with traditions dating back thousands of years,
Kashmir is the Sub –Alpine Region of Asia’s
Italy. With a mesmerizing weather and a
wonderful flora, Kashmir has been the Pride of
India for many years now. Adding to its beauty
and grandeur, is its amalgamation of diverse yet
unique cultures. It is believed to be a heaven
on Earth, a place to attain Nirvana.
With the everyday mushrooming of the global
competitions, money treated as the Ultimate
savior is much valued over principles, faith and
God ; status , image, and social acceptance
become the threshold need to survive in the
society, in today’s contemporary irrational age.
With life made busy and life–style complicated,
the age old customs of society and the age old
beauty and soberness of culture have taken a
backseat. To begin with the sacred institution
of marriage ;which has been solemnly accepted as
a ritual where total pomp and show add on to its
cause and the effect. Marriage is the heavenly
union of two souls, who begin a new life and
integrate to the society as individuals and also
as a family. This institution is not merely a
legitimate sexual relationship ,a biological,
physical or a social need but has a lot of
colour and commitment to it.
With the setting in of a new age, the Kashmiri
society has too experienced a lot of radical
changes. The foremost being the ‘Struggle for
Existence’ and the ‘ Survival of The Fittest’,
in order to merge with the affluent extravagance
and pride. The amount of food wasted, the add
ons to the Kashmiri cuisine, the number of
guests from the Groom’s family to be
entertained, the jewellery worn by the bride,
all are a measure of the ‘social status’. This
ritual once considered to be the mode to unite
the souls, has now taken a lead as an example of
utmost materialism. We forget our Religion, we
forget the Teachings of The Holy Quran. Our
quest to adapt to the society has overshadowed
The Hadith for us. We have surrendered the
simplicity of our Prophet (SAW), to the devil of
materialism and prestige. We forget how our
Warriors fought for the Beliefs we all stand
for. They have been slayed not on account of
their future generations to be sacrificed by
money and pride. We are individuals and then
belong to a society. We can think, act and
react.
World is like a bubble, a mirage, of momentary
existence and so is the ‘status’ for what the
individuals struggle. Dr. Iqbal has rightly
proclaimed, “ Apne bhi khafa mujhse hain ,
begaane bhi naakhush, Mein zeher-halaahil ko
kabhi keh na saka kand….” In the present
context, it means, we require to face the facts
and accept the truth. The present social
scenario calls for a Rennaisance- a
revolutionizing attitude in the masses. The
society needs a change, so does the wrong
interpretation of culture. The contemporary
practices have been minced with the tradition,
and the chimera is praised as ‘Our Kashmiri -
Heritage’. We need to acknowledge this existing
custom as a monster and help rehabilitate those
who make it more pronounced in the society. We
are the Muslims, the followers of Allah, we’re
expected to marry in the light of Sunnah and
Sharaih, we’re anticipated to live and preach a
simple life-style.
To cure the society of this malevolence, we have
to take up the charge as ‘responsible Muslims’.
We start from our homes, spread the web and
enlighten the society. We inspire the ‘Youngistan’,
help them aspire for religious unity and
intellect, than for pride. We can ensure our
posterity, only when we plunge into the fray and
resolve it. The money spend can be channelized
into upgrading orphans, educating women,
rehabilitating the widows and half-widows as
well as for social re-construction. This is not
the responsibility of the Government alone but
requires an individual insight in our future, a
closer look in our present and the illumination
from the past. We require to restrain the
stereotypical swankiness to release the millions
of middle-class families from their endeavour to
blend with the elite masses. To conquer the
surmounting oppression and dejection, to
establish a clean social and physical
environment, We Pledge to go back to Islam, our
Guide and absorb the Hadith, we pledge to imbibe
in us the beliefs and life-style of Our Beloved
Prophet (SAW), We pledge to be THE MUSLIMS, very
true to our Faith. |
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