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Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 5, 2026 • 3 min read

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Quick Info

Date of birth23/03/1973

Age50 Years (as of 2023)

BirthplaceSrinagar

ProfessionKashmiri Separatist Leader And Religious Cleric

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseSheeba Masoodi

FamilyChildren: 3

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Biography

Mirwaiz Mohammad Umar Farooq is a Kashmiri religious leader and political figure who serves as the 14th Mirwaiz of Kashmir and chairs the Awami Action (Awl

Early life and background

Mirwaiz Mohammad Umar Farooq was born on 23 March 1973 in Srinagar, where he also grew up and later made his home. He is the son of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Moulana Moulvi Muhammad Farooq, who served as the 13th Mirwaiz of Kashmir. Umar Farooq earned advanced religious education, holding a postgraduate qualification in Islamic studies known as Moulvi Fazil and completing a PhD focused on the politico-religious role of Shah-e-Hamdan. He attended Burn Hall School and later studied at Kashmir University.

Career

Umar Farooq became active in public life following the assassination of his father on 21 May 1990. At 17, he assumed leadership of the Awami Action Committee, the organization his father had led. Over the following years he worked to bring together a range of pro-freedom political, social and religious groups in the region. In 1993 he helped consolidate dozens of organizations under a single umbrella, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), and was recognized as the chairman of that coalition.

As Mirwaiz of Kashmir, Umar Farooq holds a combined religious and political role. He is the head priest of Srinagar’s Jama Masjid and is regarded as a spiritual leader for many Muslims in the region. His position involves both clerical responsibilities and public political engagement through the Awami Action Committee, one of the two principal factions within the APHC.

Public profile

Umar Farooq has been a prominent and sometimes controversial figure in Kashmir’s modern political landscape. He has been listed among influential Muslim leaders internationally; in October 2014 he was included in a publication that names the 500 most influential Muslims and was noted among leading Muslim politicians.

His public life has also involved legal and political scrutiny. He has been subject to house arrest on multiple occasions tied to politically sensitive dates and events. Authorities have at times taken action connected to alleged communications equipment at his residence and he has faced investigation in cases brought by national agencies.

Family and personal life

Umar Farooq married Sheeba Masoodi in 2002. The couple have three children: two daughters, Maryam and Zainab, and a son born on 11 February 2017. He has one sister, Rabia Farooq. His mother’s name is not provided in the available information.

Other information

He is described as the 14th Mirwaiz of Kashmir and remains a central figure within the Hurriyat movement. Over time he has been linked with substantial property holdings attributed to him in Kashmir, as well as real estate and investments outside the region.

Latest updates

In the last decade Umar Farooq’s profile has included increased international recognition alongside intensified scrutiny by Indian authorities. Reports cite investigations and seizures of equipment connected to his home and periodic detentions tied to public order concerns. He continues to serve as Mirwaiz and to lead the Awami Action Committee within the APHC.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded

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Career Highlights

  1. Became head of the Awami Action Committee after his father’s assassination in 1990
  2. United multiple Kashmiri pro-freedom groups under the All Parties Hurriyat Conference in 1993
  3. Serves as the 14th Mirwaiz of Kashmir and head priest of Jama Masjid, Srinagar
  4. Listed among influential Muslim leaders in 2014
Reviewed by F4U Editorial Desk

F4U profile pages are prepared from public career information, checked for readability, and updated when reliable correction sources are shared with the editorial team.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Mirwaiz Umar Farooq born?

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was born on 23/03/1973.

What is Mirwaiz Umar Farooq known for?

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq is known for kashmiri Separatist Leader And Religious Cleric.

What is Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s marital status?

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq's marital status is listed as Married.

Who is Mirwaiz Umar Farooq married to?

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq is publicly listed as married to Sheeba Masoodi.