The Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), an amalgam of all Muslim religious organisations of J&K headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, has expressed serious concern over the recent directive issued by the Jammu and Kashmir government’s department of culture. The directive instructs schools across the region to commemorate the 150th year of Vande Mataram through organised musical and cultural programmes, ensuring participation of all students and staff.
The MMU said that singing or reciting Vande Mataram is un-Islamic, as it contains expressions of devotion that contradict the fundamental Islamic belief in the absolute Oneness of Allah (Tawheed). Islam does not permit any act that involves worship or reverence directed to anyone or anything other than the Creator.
The MMU stated that while Muslims are urged to deeply love and serve their homeland, that devotion should be expressed through service, compassion, and contribution to society not through acts conflicting with faith. Forcing Muslim students or institutions to participate in activities that conflict with their faith is both unjust and unacceptable.
The statement added that the directive appears to be a deliberate attempt to impose an RSS-driven Hindutva ideology on a Muslim-majority region under the guise of cultural celebration, rather than promoting genuine unity and respect for diversity.
The MMU urged the administration, both led by the LG and the CM, to immediately withdraw such a coercive directive, which has caused anguish among Muslims, and ensure that no student or institution is compelled to act against their religious beliefs.
