International recognition highlights his longstanding advocacy of dialogue, non-violence and peaceful engagement despite continued restrictions
Srinagar, November 14, 2026: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq has once again been included among the world’s 500 most influential Muslim personalities in the 2027 edition of The Muslim 500, published by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre (RISSC), Jordan, marking his thirteenth consecutive inclusion in the prestigious annual publication.
Featuring Mirwaiz under the Political category, the publication identifies him as the 14th Mirwaiz of Kashmir, who assumed the religious leadership in 1990 at the age of 17 following his father’s assassination. It also acknowledges his longstanding advocacy of dialogue and peaceful engagement to address the Kashmir issue.
The 2027 edition particularly highlights that Mirwaiz “repeatedly calls for dialogue between India and Pakistan as the only sustainable path to peace”, while continuing to advocate “non-violent engagement on regional issues.”
The publication also takes note of his prolonged house detention from August 2019 to September 2023, observing that he “remains subjected to sudden, intermittent detentions by authorities.” Referring to his religious and public role, it states that, as chief cleric at Srinagar’s historic Jamia Masjid, he “expertly bridges vital traditional religious leadership with ongoing human rights advocacy”.
For over three decades, Mirwaiz has consistently maintained that dialogue, rather than confrontation, offers the most viable path towards resolving the Kashmir issue. Despite prolonged restrictions on his movement and public activities, he has continued to advocate peace, reconciliation, religious harmony and the protection of human dignity.
