Srinagar, August 22: Expressing concern over the rotten meat scandal that has sparked public outrage in Kashmir, Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr. Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq on Friday urged authorities to bring all facts into the public domain and ensure transparency in the ongoing probe.
Delivering the Friday sermon at Jama Masjid Srinagar, Mirwaiz said that despite repeated assurances of a thorough investigation, people remain unaware of crucial details. “Not much is known about its follow-up — who are the people behind it, for how long has it been going on, have any arrests been made? All this needs to be put in the public domain to address people’s concern and anxiety,” he said.
Stressing the need for a foolproof mechanism to prevent such incidents, Mirwaiz said there should be “no leniency whatsoever with those involved in this heinous act that puts people’s health and lives at grave risk.”
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He emphasized that Kashmir must establish its own regulated slaughterhouses where proper hygiene, Islamic guidelines, and food safety standards are strictly enforced. “Both the government and the business community must gear up to establish these facilities, as people cannot blindly trust what comes from outside without scrutiny,” he noted.
The Mirwaiz also announced that the Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU) has constituted a 7-member committee of jurists from different schools of thought to deliberate on the issue. He said the MMU already has a Halal Certification Board, which will now be expanded and strengthened to ensure compliance with Islamic standards.
“MMU is fully willing to cooperate with the government in this matter to preserve the Islamic character of halal food and to safeguard the health and trust of our people,” he reiterated.