Mirwaiz
Mirwaiz is a hereditary religious title for the chief cleric or head preacher of the Muslim community in the Kashmir Valley. The title unique to Kashmir, traditionally involved providing religious instructions and leading sermons in major shrines and mosques. Over time, the holders of the title also assumed social, cultural and political roles within Kashmiri society.
The title Mirwaiz of Kashmir is presently held by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who succeeded his father, Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq, in 1990.
Lineages
Two principle Mirwaiz lineages exists in the region: Mirwaiz of Kashmir, based at the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar, and the Mirwaiz Hamadani associated with the Khanqah-e-Moula mosque and tracing its origins to followers of the 14th-century Persian saint Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani. Each lineage has historically remained hereditary within a distinct clerical family. Rivalry between the two lineages, often intertwined in local politics, and have at times resulted in open confrontations.The Mirwaiz office is traditionally hereditary within certain clerical families, tenure continues until death, resignation or displacement; there is no fixed term.
Functions and significance
The Mirwaiz of Kashmir traditionally heads the main Friday sermon at the largest and historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar, and leads congregational prayers on major occasions, such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.The Mirwaiz has often been a figure of political significance in Kashmir's socio-political context, addressing communal issues, conflict, and sometimes heading political formations.
Notable holders of the title
Mirwaiz-i-Kashmir
The Lineage of the Mirwaiz of Kashmir traces back to Maulvi Siddiq-Ullah and his son Akhund Maulvi Abdulsalam, who preached Islam near Srinagar. Abdulsalam's son Hafiz Ghulam Rasool Shah, known as Lassi baba, was the first to hold the title of Mirwaiz-i-Kashmir. His brothers became associated with the parallel Mirwaiz Hamdani line.Subsequent holders included Muhammad Yahya, who translated the 30th Juz' of the Quran into Kashmiri, and his son Maulvi Rasool Shah, a pioneer of modern education and founder of Anjuman-e-Nusrat-ul-Islam. The title later passed through Maulvi Atiq Ullah Shah and his brother Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah.
Mirwaiz Muhammad Yusuf Shah, a graduate of Darul Uloom Deoband, succeeded them and produced a widely recognised Kashmiri Quran translation published by King Fahd Printing Press in Medina. In 1947, he went into exile and served twice as President of Azad Kashmir.
After Atiq Ullah's death in 1962, Molvi Mohammad Farooq became Naib Mirwaiz and later the Mirwaiz of Kashmir from 1968 until his assassination in 1990. His son Mirwaiz Umar Farooq succeeded him in 1990.