Srinagar July 18 (KNS): The All Jammu & Kashmir Shia Association (AJKSA), one of the oldest religious and socio-cultural organisations of the Shia community in J&K, was founded in 1938 by the revered late Molvi Jawad Ansari (RA). Over the decades, the Association has served as a pillar of support for the Shia population of the region, standing firm in faith and service through changing times.
Among those who held the office of President after the founder were respected community figures Haji Jaffar Khan, Haji Syed Hussain Jalali, and Molvi Iftikhar Ansari (RA), whose contribution in religious, social, and political spheres remains deeply etched in the hearts of the people.
Currently, the Association is led by Molvi Imran Reza Ansari, who has committed himself to reviving and strengthening the organisation in line with its founding values: service to the community (khidmat-e-khalq), preservation of religious traditions, and unity of the followers of Ahlul Bayt (AS).
In an effort to re-energise the organisational structure, Molvi Imran Reza Ansari has recently appointed key office bearers:
•Irfan Ansari as Vice President
•Abid Hussain Ansari as General Secretary
•Mohammed Hassan Zakri, Dr Syed Tayyab Rizvi, and Syed Mohammed Razvi as Spokespersons.
The All JK Shia Association manages and supervises several Imam Bargahs, Mosques, and Madrassas across Kashmir, which have been centres of religious learning, mourning (azadari), and spiritual guidance for generations. These institutions serve not just as places of worship but also as sanctuaries of reflection, remembrance of Karbala, and propagation of the message of Imam Hussain (AS).Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
As per the vision of the current leadership, AJKSA is now expanding its outreach and structure in underserved areas including Uri, Poonch, and Jammu, with a goal of establishing a well-knit network of local units to carry out religious, educational, and social welfare activities.
The District Unit of Srinagar is already functional, with active members including Haji Firdaus Mirza, Munshi Bashir, Yaseen Mustafa, Nisar Sultan, and Arshed Sultan. District bodies in Budgam, Bandipora, Baramulla, and Pulwama will soon be formally announced, along with a provisional provincial structure.
AJKSA has always stood with the community in times of crisis and need, whether in organizing Muharram processions, supporting families in distress, or providing scholarships and assistance to students and the underprivileged. Rooted in the values of Imam Ali (AS) and Imam Hussain (AS) — justice, truth, sacrifice, and service — the Association continues its legacy of upholding the faith and defending the dignity of the followers of Ahlul Bayt (AS) in Jammu & Kashmir.
In these months of Muharram and Safar, the Association reaffirms its resolve to preserve the sanctity of Azadari, support all Imam Bargahs across the Union Territory, and ensure a peaceful and spiritually uplifting atmosphere for the remembrance of the martyrs of Karbala.
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah.(KNS)