Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 9: A group of Shia scholars, intellectuals and activists today announced the formation of the J&K United Shia Council (J&K USC), describing it as a collective platform aimed at representing and organising the Shia community in J&K.
The announcement was made during a press conference here, where the office bearers outlined the objectives and vision of the newly formed body.
Bilal Ahmad Hadi has been named Chairman of the J&K United Shia Council, while Sajad Hussain appointed as its President.
Speaking on the occasion, Hadi said the council was “not merely an organisation, but a comprehensive movement and a collective platform whose main objective is to organise and unite the Shia community of Kashmir.”
The General Secretary Tanveer Hussain said the initiative seeks to guide younger generations towards a “positive, constructive and purposeful path” and added that the council’s doors remain open to all those driven by “sincerity, integrity and a genuine commitment to public service.”
The members said the council was established after consultations among scholars, jurists, intellectuals and people from different walks of life who felt the need for a “strong, organised and effective collective platform” capable of articulating the concerns and aspirations of the Shia community in the region.
They said the council would work for the protection and advancement of the community’s religious, social, political, educational, economic and cultural rights while promoting unity, peaceful coexistence and social development.
The body said it would also focus on ensuring transparency and proper management of Shia endowments (Auqaf), besides taking practical steps for educational upliftment and community welfare.
The organisers stressed that the council does not represent any individual, faction or vested interest.
The council announced that its central office would be based in Srinagar, while its organisational structure would extend to district, tehsil, locality and village levels to ensure grassroots participation and representation.
An advisory council comprising intellectuals, educationists, lawyers, social workers and experts from different fields will also be constituted to provide policy guidance and research-based recommendations on issues concerning the community.
The organisation said it would rely on dialogue, constitutional means and democratic processes instead of “confrontational politics” to safeguard community interests.
Calling for wider participation, the organisers appealed to Shia youth, scholars and social activists to join the initiative and contribute towards peace, stability and inclusive development across Jammu and Kashmir.
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