MANGALURU: The Dood Nana Cultural Foundation and Al Salama Counseling Centre have organised an awareness mega conclave against drugs on November 15 at the Town Hall in the city. Program Coordinator Sheikh Muhammad Irfani said that the menace of narcotic substances has created an atmosphere of fear in the Dakshina Kannada district. He said the awareness program is being conducted to find an appropriate solution to this issue.Foundation General Secretary Iqbal Balila said that a study on the impact of narcotic substance abuse on students and youth in the Dakshina Kannada district revealed that out of 2,000 cases registered in the Mangaluru City Police Commissionerate’s jurisdiction over the past four years, 1,600 involved individuals from the Muslim community. In the Dakshina Kannada Police’s jurisdiction, 1,200 out of 1,800 cases involved Muslims, he said.“The increase in MDMA supply and use has severely impacted youth health. Cases were found during the study where drug peddlers lured school and college students into addiction by claiming that drug use enhances memory power for exams,” said Iqbal.Alcohol consumption is prohibited in the Muslim community, and awareness about it is raised in madrassas from childhood. While alcohol use is detectable by its smell, drug use often goes unnoticed, making the youth more susceptible to this vice. Hence, there is a need for religious leaders to issue fatwas against drugs and raise awareness through madrassas, he added.The program, scheduled to begin at 10 AM, will feature an address by international speaker Simsarul Haq Hudavi, with City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy providing legal advice. Al Salama Counseling Centre President G.A. Bawa will provide information about the initiative, and Sharif Haji will preside. Dakshina Kannada Qazi Twaka Ahmed Musliyar and B.K. Abdul Khader Musliyar Bambra will deliver messages. The event will honour Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader, Zakaria Jokatte, a Rajyotsava awardee, and Zainul Abid, known for humanitarian service.
