Draft:All Jammu and Kashmir Shia Association

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All Jammu and Kashmir Shia Association
AbbreviationAJKSA
Formation1938 [1]
TypeSocio-Religious and Educational Organization
FocusService to the Shia community, preservation of religious traditions, education, and unity of the followers of Ahlul Bayt (A.S.) in Jammu and Kashmir. [1]
HeadquartersDarul Jawad Qamarwari, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
President
Imran Reza Ansari
Websiteajksa.org

The All Jammu and Kashmir Shia Association (AJKSA) is one of the main socio-religious organisations that represent the Shia community in Jammu and Kashmir. It was established in the year 1938 by the renowned cleric Molvi Jawad Ansari, and is considered one of the oldest organisations of its type in the region. [1][2]

History and leadership

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The AJKSA was founded to provide a collective platform for the Shia community with a focus on religious, social, and educational welfare.[1] Since its formation, the association has been led by members of the Kashmiri Shia clergy, and founded by them, that is the Ansari family. [1][3]


  • Molvi Jawad Ansari: The founder of the association. Established in 1938.[1]
  • Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari (1942–2014): Became president in 1962, succeeding his father. He was also active in regional politics, serving multiple terms as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) and as a minister in the Jammu and Kashmir government. [4][2] Iftikhar Hussain Ansari was a significant political figure, serving four terms as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Pattan Assembly segment and as a Minister in the State Government.[5] He was a proponent of the Grand Ashura Procession in Kashmir and was the President of Maarif-Uloom-Islami, the educational wing of the AJKSA.[4]
  • Molvi Imran Reza Ansari (Current President): Succeeded his father and currently heads the organization. Under his leadership, the association expanded its activities to areas such as Uri, Poonch, and Jammu. [1][6]

Other notable former Presidents include Haji Jaffar Khan and Haji Syed Hussain Jalali.[1]

Activities and social welfare

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The association’s activities include religious, educational, and community welfare initiatives.[1][7]

The Association manages and supervises several Imam Bargahs, Mosques, and Madrassas across Kashmir, serving as institutions for religious learning and azadari (mourning).[1] Specific religious events like the Majlis-e-Asad and Milad-un-Nabi rallies are organized and reviewed by the AJKSA leadership.[8][9][10]

AJKSA plays a role in organizing the annual Muharram processions, coordinating with local units and government authorities to ensure the peaceful and disciplined conduct of the ceremonies.[11] The association was involved in the restoration of the traditional 8th Muharram procession route in Srinagar, which was permitted to resume in 2023 by the administration of Jammu and Kashmir after a ban lasting over three decades.[12][13][14][15]

The organization also undertakes welfare activities such as providing educational assistance, scholarships, and plans for community support services including old-age homes and aid for orphaned children.[16][1]

International Engagement and Global Standing

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In February 2025, AJKSA President Molvi Imran Reza Ansari participated in the international conference A Middle Nation held in Baghdad, Iraq. He presented a research paper titled “Vision of Citizenship from the Shia Perspective and the Experience of Citizenship in Kashmir.” The conference featured scholars and participants from multiple countries, focusing on theological and civic themes relevant to the global Shia community.[17]

Structure & Affiliated Bodies

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The AJKSA is headquartered at Darul Jawad, Qamarwari, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India. The association operates through district-level units and mohalla (neighbourhood) committees. For instance, a June 2025 meeting in Srinagar brought together the President, General Secretary and district-level representatives of AJKSA units across the mohallas. [18]

The association has educational affiliations, including Maarif‑Uloom‑Islami, an educational wing which offers early childhood and elementary religious education programs.

Contemporary Issues & Community Relations

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AJKSA has been involved in community relations and coordination of religious processions in Jammu & Kashmir. In 2025 the association thanked the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir for his intervention in a “Magam Muharram” case involving youths booked for raising flags during processions. [19]

The association has also issued statements regarding organisational discipline during religious observances. For example, in July 2025 AJKSA called for the first 14 days of Muharram to remain free of geopolitical slogans and appealed to participants to maintain unity, discipline and focus on mourning-commemoration rather than politics. [20]

AJKSA also manages events such as Majlis-e-Aza, Marsiya Khawani, and Zuljanah processions across the Kashmir Valley, with documented large-scale participation and coordination with local religious venues. [21]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Formation and Expansion of All Jammu & Kashmir Shia Association". Kashmir News Service (KNS). July 18, 2025. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Shias of Kashmir: Socio-Political Dilemmas". Kashmir Observer. January 4, 2013. Archived from the original on January 4, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2025. Confirms the hereditary role of the Ansari family in leading the Shia Association since 1962.
  3. ^ "Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari: Profile and Contributions". Imam Hussain Research Center. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari; A Brief Introduction". Kashmir Life. September 30, 2014. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
  5. ^ "Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari: Political and Ministerial Profile". Kashmir Life. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
  6. ^ "All J&K Shia Association constitutes a core committee for District Srinagar". Kashmir News Service (KNS). April 19, 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2025. Details the association's efforts to strengthen the organization at the grassroots level.
  7. ^ "All Jammu and Kashmir Shia Association (AJKSA) holds inspiring Meeting at Dar-ul-Jawad Qamarwari". Valley Observer. July 15, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
  8. ^ "AJKSA Reviews Majlis-e-Asad Preparations; Zadibal to Host Thousands After Seven Years". Kashmir News Service (KNS). August 13, 2024. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
  9. ^ "All JK Shia Association Holds Grand Milad-un-Nabi (SAWW) Rally in Srinagar". Kashmir News Service (KNS). September 14, 2024. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
  10. ^ "All Jammu & Kashmir Shia Association holds preparatory meeting ahead of Muharram". AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA 24). May 19, 2025. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
  11. ^ "All Jammu & Kashmir Shia Association (AJKSA) Steps Up Ashura Coordination Efforts". Kashmir News Service (KNS). May 25, 2025. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
  12. ^ "After three decades, Shia community takes out Muharram procession through Lal Chowk in Srinagar". The Economic Times. July 27, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
  13. ^ "Muharram processions conclude peacefully in Kashmir amid concern over 'detention' of Shia mourners". The Hindu. July 6, 2025. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
  14. ^ "Shia community split over J&K admin's decision to 'allow' Muharram procession after 30 years". The New Indian Express. August 1, 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2025. Quotes Imran Reza Ansari, president, All Jammu and Kashmir Shia Association, welcoming the decision to allow the procession.
  15. ^ "Over 25,000 Shias attend Srinagar Muharram procession after 33 years". The Hindu. July 27, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2025. Cites Imran Reza Ansari, president of the All J&K Shia Association, calling the event a "historic milestone."
  16. ^ "All Jammu and Kashmir Shia Association Hosts Annual Religious Education Conference". Kashmir News Service (KNS). October 13, 2024. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
  17. ^ "All J&K Shia Association President Molvi Imran Reza Ansari Represents Shia Community at 'A Middle Nation' Conference in Baghdad". Kashmir News Service (KNS). February 9, 2025. Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  18. ^ "All J&K Shia Association Convenes District-Level Muharram Meeting in Srinagar". KNS Kashmir. 21 June 2025.
  19. ^ "Shia Association Thanks LG Manoj Sinha for Intervention in Magam Muharram Case". The Right News. 11 Oct 2025.
  20. ^ "Majlis-e-Aza Held Across Kashmir by All J&K Shia Association, A Call to Honour Imam Hussain (AS) Beyond Geopolitics". KNS. KNS Kashmir. 8 July 2025.
  21. ^ "All Jammu & Kashmir Shia Association Holds Majlis-E-Aza and Marsiya Khawani Across Valley". KNS Kashmir. 20 July 2025.