SRINAGAR, Aug 17: Former actor Zaira Wasim has questioned the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board’s involvement in an Independence Day celebration at a school in Kashmir, particularly the participation of young girls in stage performances.
In a post on X on Sunday, Wasim questioned whether a religious institution such as the Waqf Board should be associated with events where children, especially girls, are made to perform on stage.
“Isn't waqf board a religious body entrusted with serving the Muslim Community and ideally doing so while upholding Islamic Values?” she wrote.
The former actor, who quit the film industry in 2019 citing concerns related to her faith, questioned why involving children in public celebrations often meant having them dance to songs.
She suggested that schools and institutions should instead provide children with opportunities to think, learn, create, discuss and contribute meaningfully.
Wasim said Kashmir had a long tradition of viewing education as a means of developing knowledge, character and spiritual awareness.
She stressed that her criticism was directed not at the children but at the institutions organising and facilitating such programmes.
“Children are often simply made to participate in whatever schools and institutions put before them,” she said, adding that the larger question was what institutions chose to facilitate and endorse under their banner.
