Shillong, Feb 18: As the battle against drug abuse intensifies, religious institutions in Shillong are stepping forward to spread awareness and encourage collective action.
Shillong Muslim Union has incorporated anti-drug messages into its religious discourse. Noor Nongrum, Assistant General Secretary of the Shillong Muslim Union, stated that every Friday, before the Khutba, the mosque emphasizes the need for a drug-free society. This initiative, which began at Madina Masjid, aims to create awareness and inspire other religious institutions to join the movement in addressing the growing concern of substance abuse.
“It’s before the Khutba. Khutba is before the congregation, where the imam speaks on religious matters. In that, we include the message that we must make our society free from drugs. This is how every Friday; we address the issue in the mosque. It’s a humble beginning with Madina Masjid, and I hope others will follow,” Nongrum stated.
Similarly, the Sikh community in Shillong is utilizing the Gurdwara as a platform for awareness. Jasbir Singh, a representative of the Sikh community, highlighted the growing concern. “We are all aware of the drug menace. Punjab has been in its grip, and it is now rearing its ugly head in our own state, Meghalaya. We often discuss this issue within our small but closely bonded Sikh community in Shillong. Today, we have been given a platform to strategize on tackling this menace. The youth are affected, and with them, entire families suffer. As a parent, I feel the urgency, knowing that our children need protection. Before, we had to save them from monsters; now, drugs have become a bigger monster. We must be vigilant,” he said.
Singh further stressed the need for collective action. “Shillong is fortunate to have an enlightened community, with most being educated and aware of the problem. But everyone needs a platform and a beginning. I hope the insights gained today will help us move forward in finding solutions,” he added.
The involvement of religious institutions in this fight marks a crucial step in mobilizing communities to confront the drug crisis head-on.