Mohammad Farooq Shah
Mohammad Farooq Shah | |
|---|---|
محمد فاروق شاہ | |
| Mirwaiz of Kashmir | |
| In office 1968 – 21 May 1990 | |
| Preceded by | Mirwaiz Yusuf Shah |
| Succeeded by | Mirwaiz Umar Farooq |
| Title | Mirwaiz-i-Kashmir |
| Personal life | |
| Born | December 21, 1944 |
| Died | 21 May 1990 |
| Cause of death | Assassination |
| Resting place | Mazar-i-Shuhada, Eidgah, Srinagar |
| Children | 2, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq |
| Citizenship | India |
| Occupation | Politician, religious leader |
| Relations | Mirwaiz Yusuf Shah (uncle) |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Islam |
Mohammad Farooq Shah[a] (1944–1990) commonly known as Mirwaiz Moulvi Farooq, was a prominent Kashmiri religious leader and political figure. As the Mirwaiz of Kashmir, he served as the head cleric of historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar, and led the All Jammu and Kashmir Awami Action Committee (ACC), a coalition of political parties in Jammu and Kashmir that sought resolution of the Kashmir conflict.[1][2]
Early life
Moulvi farooq was born on 21 December 1944 (27th Dhu al-Hijjah 1363 AH) in Srinagar.[3] He belonged to the influential clerical family that held the traditional title of Mirwaiz of Kashmir. He received his early education at home and later enrolled at Islamia and Oriental College, studying theology, Islam and Arabic language and literature.
Religious and clerical role
In 1968, following the death of his uncle, Mirwaiz Yusuf Shah, he succeeded to the position of Mirwaiz of Kashmir.[3][4] As head preacher of the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar, he delivered sermons and held religious authority in Kashmir Valley.
Political activism and leadership
At the age of 19, Shah emerged as a leader during the agitation over the disappearance of the relic from Hazratbal Shrine. He led protests demanding its recovery and helped found the All Jammu and Kashmir Awami Action Committee (ACC), a coalition of political parties in Kashmir, becoming its chairman.[4]
Although primarily a religious figure, his role expanded into socio-political mobilisation, especially representing sections of Kashmiri Muslims outside the dominant regional parties.[4]
Assassination and aftermath
On 21 May 1990, Shah was shot by gunmen in his residence at Nigeen, Srinagar. He was shifted to SKIMS, Soura, where he was declared dead.[3] His funeral procession passed through the Hawal area of Srinagar, where shots were fired at mourners, resulting in deaths of dozens of civilians;[5] his body was dropped in the middle of the road, an event that came to be known as the Hawal massacre.[6][7][8][9]
In 2010, a militant of the Hizbul Mujahideen was convicted for his murder, and in 2023, two additional militants were arrested by the police in connection with the assassination.[10][11] In a press briefing, the police said the arrested militants included the one who had entered into the bedroom of Mirwaiz and opened fire at him.
See also
Notes
References
- ^ Weaver, Mary Anne (10 June 1983). "Strategic Kashmir is divided by conflicting loyalties". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^ BAZAZ, BHUSHAN. "My memories with the man". Greater Kashmir. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
- ^ a b c Shams, M.S. Rehman (8 January 2025). "Remembering the Mirwaiz—a Life Committed to Islam and Kashmir". Kashmir Newsline. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
- ^ a b c "Who was Mirwaiz Moulvi Farooq?". Greater Kashmir. 21 May 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
- ^ "The Mirwaiz's killing, and why it was a watershed moment for J&K". The Indian Express. 22 May 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
- ^ 21 May 1990: Holi played with blood
- ^ "Hawal Massacre - Daily Parliament Times". 21 May 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
- ^ migrator (20 May 2018). "Hawal massacre: When forces blocked all roads and dead were ferried on handcarts". Greater Kashmir. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
- ^ Hussain, Mir Basit (21 May 2019). "Hawal Massacre turns 29: 'Can't forget the expressions on the faces of the fallen' | Free Press Kashmir". freepresskashmir.news. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
- ^ "SC upholds life sentence for killer of Mirwaiz's father". The Times of India. 22 July 2010. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
- ^ Two Hizb militants arrested for Mirwaiz Moulvi Farooq’s assassination, The Kashmir Pulse, 16 May 2023.