Kargil, February 27/ VOL News Desk/ During the Friday sermon organised by the Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust at Musalla Imam Minji Gund, Hujjat-ul-Islam Sheikh Mohammad Hussain Lutfi addressed a range of regional and international issues concerning the Muslim community.

In his address, Sheikh Lutfi strongly criticised the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Israel and what he described as support for the Israeli government. He said that “one billion people of the country” do not endorse Israeli actions. Referring to alleged threats by the United States against Iran’s Supreme Leader and the system of Wilayat-e-Faqih, he stated that any action against the Supreme Leader would be considered a “red line” for Muslims and warned of serious consequences if sentiments were hurt globally.

Turning to local issues, Sheikh Lutfi expressed concern over reports that employees deputed from outside universities to the University of Ladakh might be regularised. He emphasised that any recruitment or regularisation process must strictly follow legal provisions, ensure transparency and merit, and provide equal opportunities to qualified local youth.

He also described the growing population of stray dogs in Kargil as a serious issue, questioning the government’s response to increasing attacks on residents and livestock. He urged the district administration and the Hill Council to take immediate steps to safeguard the public.

Separately, during a Friday sermon organised by Jamiat-ul-Ulama Isna Asharia Kargil at the Islamia School premises, Hujjat-ul-Islam Sheikh Talib Subhani expressed concern over the decision to shift government schools from the Jammu and Kashmir Board to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). He noted that the absence of a CBSE examination centre in Kargil has created difficulties for students and parents, and called upon the Hill Council and the Member of Parliament to work towards establishing a CBSE centre in the district.

Highlighting the issue of unemployment, Sheikh Subhani said that joblessness in Ladakh has reached worrying levels, leading to mental stress among educated youth and increasing vulnerability to social problems such as substance abuse. He urged the authorities to address the root causes of drug addiction.

In his concluding remarks, he appealed to women, particularly young girls in Kargil’s society, to observe Islamic dress codes and values. He also called upon parents to guide their children in accordance with religious principles and to avoid what he described as unnecessary imitation of Western culture.