Srinagar February 17: In a heartfelt appeal, Molvi Imran Reza Ansari today urged the Jammu and Kashmir Police especially Srinagar Police, parents, and Islamic scholars to join forces against the scourge of online gambling that is wreaking havoc on the lives of Kashmiri youth.
“These online gambling apps are easily available on smartphones, making it effortless for our youth to access them,” Imran Ansari said. “As a Muslim, it is our responsibility to protect our youth from this curse, which is not only HARAM but also a threat to our social fabric.”
Imran Ansari shared his personal experience, saying, “Just in the past week, three families have approached me, devastated by the losses they have incurred due to online gambling. The pain and desperation in their eyes is still haunting me. We cannot afford to lose our youth to this menace. We must act now to protect them.”
Imran Ansari quoted the Quran, “O you who believe! Intoxicants, and games of chance, and idols, and divining arrows are only an infamy of Satan’s handiwork” (5:90). “Our Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) has also warned us against games of chance, saying, ‘He who plays games of chance has disobeyed Allah and His Apostle’ .”
Imran Ansari also referred to the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWW), which states, “The money of a gambler is impure, and it is not permissible to eat from it or to drink from it” . “This clearly indicates that the money earned through gambling is HARAM and cannot be used for any legitimate purpose,” Molvi Imran said.
Molvi Imran appealed to parents to take a proactive role in monitoring their children’s online activities. “Parents need to check their children’s phones regularly for any online gambling apps. They should also be aware of any changes in their child’s behavior, such as increased secrecy or agitation, which could be indicative of online gambling addiction.”
The All JK Shia Association is calling on the Jammu and Kashmir Police to:
– Launch a crackdown on online gambling apps and websites.
– Collaborate with banks to freeze accounts linked to online gambling transactions.
– Provide counseling and support services to families affected by online gambling.
Molvi Ansari also appealed to the Islamic scholars to use their platforms to raise awareness about the dangers of online gambling and to provide guidance to the community on how to avoid this trap.
“We must work together to save our youth from this curse,” Imran Ansari said. “We owe it to ourselves, our children, and our community. Let us unite to protect our youth and uphold the values of Islam.”