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{{Short description|Religious title (position) for Islamic head preacher in Kashmir}}
{{See also|Mir (title)|Mir (clan)}}

'''Mirwaiz''' ({{langx|ur|{{nq|میر واعظ}}}}; from [[Persian language|Persian]] [[Mir (title)|''mir'']] 'chief' and {{Transliteration|fa|waiz}} 'preacher') is a hereditary religious title for the chief cleric or head preacher of the Muslim community in the [[Kashmir Valley]].{{Sfn|Tikoo|2012}}{{sfn|Hussain, Kashmir Profiles|2017|p=30}}{{sfn|Dar, Religious Institutes of Kashmir|2006|p=19}} The title unique to Kashmir, traditionally involved providing religious instructions and leading sermons in major [[Dargah|shrines]] and [[mosque]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reyaz |first=Huzaiful |title=Kashmir's top cleric was a fiery freedom advocate. Now he preaches patience |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2025/8/30/kashmirs-top-cleric-was-a-fiery-freedom-advocate-now-he-preaches-patience |access-date=2025-10-25 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> Over time, the holders of the title also assumed social, cultural and political roles within [[Kashmiri people|Kashmiri society]].{{sfn|Dar, Religious Institutes of Kashmir|2006|p=19}}<ref>{{citation |title=Journal of Peace Studies |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TjaSAAAAMAAJ |year=2004 |publisher=Centre for Peace Studies|page=2}}</ref>

The title ''Mirwaiz of Kashmir'' is presently held by [[Mirwaiz Umar Farooq]], who succeeded his father, [[Mohammad Farooq Shah|Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq]], in 1990.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Elqabbany |first=Moustafa |date=2018-05-29 |title=Mohammad Umar Farooq - The Muslim 500 |url=https://themuslim500.com/profiles/mohammad-umar-farooq/ |access-date=2025-10-25 |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Lineages ==
Two principle Mirwaiz lineages exists in the region: '''Mirwaiz of Kashmir,''' based at the historic [[Jamia Masjid, Srinagar|Jamia Masjid]] in [[Srinagar]], and the '''Mirwaiz Hamadani''' associated with the [[Khanqah-e-Moula|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.{{Sfn|Mridu Rai|2004}}{{Sfn|Zutshi|2004}}

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 prayer|Friday sermon]] ([[Khutbah]]) at the largest and historic [[Jamia Masjid, Srinagar|Jamia Masjid]] in [[Srinagar]], and leads congregational prayers on major occasions, such as [[Eid al-Fitr]] and [[Eid al-Adha]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-04-26 |title=At first Friday prayer in weeks, Mirwaiz slams Pahalgam carnage |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/at-first-friday-prayer-in-weeks-mirwaiz-slams-pahalgam-carnage/articleshow/120629279.cms |access-date=2025-10-25 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-21 |title=Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Placed Under House Arrest (Clarion India) |url=https://www.hindutvawatch.org/mirwaiz-umar-farooq-placed-under-house-arrest-clarion-india/ |access-date=2025-10-25 |website=Hindutva Watch |language=en-US}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-09 |title=Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Farooq urges India, Pakistan to ease rising tensions |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/hurriyat-conference-mirwaiz-farooq-urges-india-pakistan-to-ease-rising-tensions-101746784507427.html |access-date=2025-10-25 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wani |first=Fayaz |date=2025-03-21 |title=In Friday prayers at Srinagar's Jamia Masjid, Mirwaiz demands revocation of ban on his party |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Mar/21/in-friday-prayers-at-srinagars-jamia-masjid-mirwaiz-demands-revocation-of-ban-on-his-party |access-date=2025-10-25 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-03-18 |title=The Mirwaiz Kashmir Institution: Its importance as Socio-Religious Organization |url=https://countercurrents.org/2019/03/the-mirwaiz-kashmir-institution-its-importance-as-socio-religious-organization/ |access-date=2025-10-25 |website=Countercurrents |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Notable holders of the title==

=== Mirwaiz-i-Kashmir ===
The Lineage of the Mirwaiz of Kashmir traces back to Maulvi Siddiq-Ullah (1075–1155 [[Hijri era|AH]]) and his son Akhund Maulvi Abdulsalam (1129–1209 [[Hijri era|AH]]), who preached [[Islam]] near [[Srinagar]]. Abdulsalam's son Hafiz Ghulam Rasool Shah (1161–1234 [[Hijri era|AH]]), 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.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Aslam |first=M J |date=2022-01-06 |title=Molvi Rasul Shah (1855-1909) |url=https://kashmirlife.net/molvi-rasul-shah-1855-1909-vol-13-issue-41-283644/ |access-date=2025-10-25 |website=Kashmir Life |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Subsequent holders included Muhammad Yahya (1201–1298 AH), who translated the 30th [[Juz']] of the [[Quran]] into [[Kashmiri language|Kashmiri]], and his son Maulvi Rasool Shah (1855–1909 CE), a pioneer of modern education and founder of ''Anjuman-e-Nusrat-ul-Islam''.{{Sfn|Verma|Singh|1994}}<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-09 |title=Mirwaiz Moulvi Rasool Shah (RA): The Visionary Architect Of Kashmir's Renaissance |url=https://kashmirreader.com/2025/01/09/mirwaiz-moulvi-rasool-shah-ra-the-visionary-architect-of-kashmirs-renaissance/ |access-date=2025-10-25 |website=Kashmir Reader |language=en-US}}</ref> The title later passed through [[Atiq Ullah (Kashmiri leader)|Maulvi Atiq Ullah Shah]] (1872–1962 CE)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-23 |title=Anjuman Nusrat-Ul-Islam Remembers Mirwaiz Ateequllah |url=https://kashmirobserver.net/2022/06/23/anjuman-nusrat-ul-islam-remembers-mirwaiz-ateequllah/ |access-date=2025-10-25 |website=Kashmir Observer |language=en-US}}</ref> and his brother Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Prem Nath Bazaz |url=http://archive.org/details/historyofstruggl00prem |title=The History Of Struggle For Freedom In Kashmir |date=1954 |publisher=Kashmir Publishing Company |others=Public Resource |page=152}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Rai |first=Mridu |url=http://archive.org/details/hindurulersmusli0000raim |title=Hindu rulers, Muslim subjects : Islam, rights, and the history of Kashmir |date=2004 |publisher=London : Hurst & Co. |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-1-85065-661-6 |page=127}}</ref>

[[Mirwaiz Yusuf Shah|Mirwaiz Muhammad Yusuf Shah]] (1894–1968), a graduate of [[Darul Uloom Deoband]], succeeded them and produced a widely recognised [[Kashmiri language|Kashmiri]] [[Quran]] translation published by King Fahd Printing Press in [[Medina]].{{Sfn|Singh|1990}}{{Sfn|Rizwi}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-09-08 |title=Mirwaiz Mohammad Yusuf Shah |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/mirwaiz-mohammad-yusuf-shah/story-tWhoyJ5Qlsayihkftxk5XK.html |access-date=2025-10-25 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> In 1947, he went into exile and served twice as [[President of Azad Kashmir]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mirwaiz Yousuf Shah : His Life And Times - Lost Kashmiri History |url=https://lostkashmirihistory.com/mirwaiz-molvi-yousuf-shah/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128144201/https://lostkashmirihistory.com/mirwaiz-molvi-yousuf-shah/ |archive-date=2019-11-28 |access-date=2025-10-25 |website=lostkashmirihistory.com |url-status=usurped |language=en-US}}</ref>

After [[Atiq Ullah (Kashmiri leader)|Atiq Ullah]]'s death in 1962, [[Mohammad Farooq Shah|Molvi Mohammad Farooq]] became Naib (deputy) Mirwaiz and later the Mirwaiz of Kashmir from 1968 until his assassination in 1990.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Network |first=KL News |date=2025-05-18 |title=On Mirwaiz Assassination Anniversary, Jamia Masjid Srinagar Witnesses Qur'an Recitation Competition |url=https://kashmirlife.net/on-mirwaiz-assassination-anniversary-jamia-masjid-srinagar-witnesses-quran-recitation-competition-391446/ |access-date=2025-10-25 |website=Kashmir Life |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-17 |title=33 years after Mirwaiz Farooq's killing, two absconding militants in police net |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/33-years-later-two-terrorists-arrested-for-assassination-of-former-mirwaiz-of-kashmir-molvi-farooq-101684306905494.html |access-date=2025-10-25 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> His son [[Mirwaiz Umar Farooq]] (born 1973) succeeded him in 1990.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mirwaiz Umar Farooq among 500 most influential Muslims of the world {{!}} Only Kashmir - Behind the News |url=http://onlykashmir.in/mirwaiz-umar-farooq-among-500-most-influential-muslims-of-the-world/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035002/http://onlykashmir.in/mirwaiz-umar-farooq-among-500-most-influential-muslims-of-the-world/ |archive-date=2016-03-04 |access-date=2025-10-25 |website=onlykashmir.in |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Mirwaiz Hamdani ===
The Mirwaiz Hamdani lineage is traditionally based in [[Srinagar]], with its seat at the historic [[Khanqah-e-Moula]]. Notable holders of this lineage include Moulvi Sidique, followed by Molvi Salah, Molvi Ghulam, Moulvi Ahmadullah Hamdani,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-07 |title=Dr Farooq, Omar Abdullah offer tributes to Mirwaiz Mir Mujahid Ahmadullah Hamadani (RA) |url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/kashmir/dr-farooq-omar-abdullah-offer-tributes-to-mirwaiz-mir-mujahid-ahmadullah-hamadani-ra/ |access-date=2025-10-25 |website=Greater Kashmir |language=en-US}}</ref> his son Ghulam Nabi Hamdani, Muhammad Yaseen Hamdani, and current holder, his son Riyaz Ahmad Hamdani.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Salam |first=Auqib |date=2022-07-06 |title=Urs of Shah-e-Hamdan (RA)observed with religious fervour {{!}} Biggest congregation held at Khanqah-e-Moula |url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/srinagar/urs-of-shah-e-hamdan-raobserved-with-religious-fervour-biggest-congregation-held-at-khanqah-e-moula/ |access-date=2025-10-25 |website=Greater Kashmir |language=en-US}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
* {{Cite book |last=Tikoo |first=Colonel Tej K. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iuURFTHTU0EC |title=Kashmir: Its Aborigines and Their Exodus |publisher=Lancer Publishers LLC |isbn=978-1-935501-58-9 |publication-date=30 June 2012 |language=en}}
* {{Cite book |last=Zutshi |first=Chitralekha |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H7Ptp4Iod8EC |title=Languages of Belonging: Islam, Regional Identity, and the Making of Kashmir |date=2004 |publisher=Hurst & Company |isbn=978-1-85065-700-2 |language=en}}
* {{Cite book|author=Mridu Rai|title=Hindu Rulers, Muslim Subjects: Islam, Rights, and the History of Kashmir|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZzMx5mPJckkC&pg=PA268|year=2004|publisher=C. Hurst & Co. Publishers|isbn=978-1-85065-701-9|pages=268–269}}
* {{citation |last=Dar |first=Nazir Ahmad |title=Religious Institutes Of Kashmir |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hlMwAAAAYAAJ |year=2006 |publisher=Jay Kay Book Shop |isbn=978-81-87221-57-9 |ref={{sfnref|Dar, Religious Institutes of Kashmir|2006}}}}
* {{cite book |last1=Verma |first1=Bharat |title=Kashmir: The Troubled Frontiers |last2=Singh |first2=Manvendra |publisher=Lancer International |year=1994 |location=New Delhi |page=62 |quote=In 1905, the Mir Waiz of Kashmir, Maulvi Rasul Shah founded the 'Anjuman-i-Nusrat-ul-Islam'.}}
* {{cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Jasjit |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TXQcAAAAIAAJ |title=India and Pakistan: Crisis of Relationship |publisher=Lancer International |year=1990 |location=New Delhi |page=221 |isbn=978-81-7062-118-8 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Rizwi |first1=Syed Mehboob |title=Tarikh Darul Uloom Deoband |publisher=[[Darul Uloom Deoband]] |edition=1981 |volume=2 |location=[[Deoband]] |pages=103–105 |translator=Murtaz Husain F Quraishi |trans-title=History of the Dar al-Ulum Deoband |chapter=Maulana Muhammad Yusuf Shah Kashmiri Mir Waiz |author-link1=Syed Mehboob Rizwi}}
* {{citation |first=Sheikh Showkat |last=Hussain |author-link=Sheikh Showkat Hussain |title=Kashmir Profiles |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1x9LDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA28 |date=2017 |publisher=Dar Al Kotob Al Ilmiyah |isbn=978-2-7451-2195-0 |ref={{sfnref|Hussain, Kashmir Profiles|2017}}}}

[[Category:Kashmir]]
[[Category:Titles in India]]
[[Category:Mirwaiz|*]]
[[Category:Islamic religious leaders]]
[[Category:Muslim clergy]]
[[Category:Islam in Kashmir]]

Mirwaiz - Revision history

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