Hurriyat Conference chairman and Jamia Masjid chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday urged the government to take decisive action against the growing trend of online gambling, which he said is disguised as various sports, including cricket and football, that has taken hold of the youth.

Mirwaiz was addressing people at Jama Masjid srinagar on Friday. While expressing deep concern over the growing trend of online gambling, disguised as various sports including cricket, football etc that has taken hold of the youth, Mirwaiz said it’s tragic that apart from drug addiction, another menace has taken root in our society.

He said hundreds of young people, driven by the allure of making quick money, have fallen victim to these gambling apps, forcing many families to sell their homes and assets to cover the massive debts incurred by their addicted members mostly young men.

He cited examples of some youth who have lost lakhs of rupees, casting heavy financial burdens on their families and destroying them emotionally.

Mirwaiz stressed that in Islam gambling in every form is strictly prohibited as it breeds greed and avarice and ruins lives, razing our spiritual and moral foundation.

He emphasised that the social cost of addiction of every kind leads to the fast erosion of the social fabric of society and ultimately its end .

Mirwaiz also pointed out that the high rate of youth unemployment also adds to the problem, pushing many to risky short cuts like online gambling out of compulsion. “Our young people need meaningful opportunities, not harmful distractions eventually drain their finances and ruin their futures,” he said.

He also urged the government to take decisive action, noting that many states in the country such as Telangana, Assam, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, and Nagaland have already banned these gambling apps.