Are We Losing Our Identity?
A Personal Reflection
Yesterday, while scrolling through social media, I came across videos of a programme titled “Kashmir Got Talent”, reportedly organised at an educational institution in Kupwara. After watching some of the scenes, I honestly felt deeply saddened and disturbed. What I witnessed through those videos compelled me to express my personal concern about the direction in which our society is heading.
Sadly, we are the same Kashmiri Muslims whose identity was once recognised through modesty, dignity, Islamic teachings, cultural values and religious traditions. But today, in the pursuit of temporary fame, applause, popularity and money, are we gradually moving away from the very values that once defined us?
I strongly believe that education, talent, confidence and exposure are essential for the development of our children. However, these opportunities should never come at the cost of our religious identity, moral values and modesty.
Islam has provided us with guidance for every aspect of life and has established principles and boundaries that we are expected to respect. Then why are we so easily influenced by outside trends while gradually neglecting our own religious and cultural responsibilities?
I have a particularly important question for parents who encourage or allow their children to participate in such activities:
Have we ever seriously reflected on our responsibilities as parents? Have we considered how we will answer before Allah Almighty regarding the upbringing, guidance and moral development of our children?
Allah Almighty says in the Holy Qur'an:
﴿وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَأَوْلَادُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ﴾
"Know that your wealth and your children are only a test for you." (Surah Al-Anfal: 28)
Allah Almighty also says:
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًا وَقُودُهَا النَّاسُ وَالْحِجَارَةُ﴾
"O you who believe! Protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones." (Surah At-Tahrim: 6)
I am not writing these words to insult anyone, target any individual or hurt anyone's feelings. These are simply my personal thoughts and concerns as a Kashmiri Muslim who genuinely worries about our society, our children and the future of our coming generations.
O Kashmiri Muslims! Let us pause for a moment and ask ourselves: Where are we heading, and what kind of society are we preparing for our children?
Is success limited to fame, money, music, entertainment and applause? Or should earning the pleasure of Allah Almighty and preparing for the Hereafter remain our greatest priorities?
Our children deserve quality education, confidence, opportunities and exposure. But alongside all these things, they also deserve moral guidance, Islamic upbringing, modesty and a strong connection with their religious identity.
We must understand that not everything that attracts public attention deserves to be followed, and not everything that receives applause is necessarily right.
Let us not sacrifice our identity for temporary recognition. Let us not forget our responsibilities in the race for modern trends and popularity.
I sincerely hope that we, as parents, educators and members of Kashmiri society, will reflect on these concerns and give serious thought to the values we are passing on to our children.
May Allah Almighty guide us, protect our children from wrongdoing and keep our coming generations connected to Islam, modesty and righteousness.
Ameen.
— Arif Sir