Srinagar, October 14: The Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board’s proposal to encourage common themes for Friday sermons at mosques, shrines and Jamia Masjids under its administration has triggered strong opposition from political leaders and religious organisations across the Union Territory.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti and the Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, have criticised the initiative, arguing that religious sermons should not be subject to external control.
The controversy emerged following a meeting in Srinagar where Maulanas, Muftis, Imams and Khateebs were reportedly given verbal instructions regarding the delivery of common Friday sermons, also known as khutbas.
During the meeting, executive magistrate Ishtiyaq Mohi-ud-Din reportedly stated that the Board had issued a directive nearly a month earlier asking religious preachers to follow a common sermon format. The Board had also sought suggestions on whether the arrangement could be extended to mosques beyond its direct administration.
Waqf Board Chairperson Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi subsequently announced the formation of a core committee comprising Muftis, Imams and Khateebs to identify subjects for Friday prayers and other religious occasions.
The proposed themes include religious awareness, moral values, social harmony, community welfare and other issues addressed through Islamic teachings. These could cover drug abuse, youth-related challenges, family difficulties and other social concerns.
Andrabi described the initiative as an effort to bring religious scholars from different sects together to promote faith, strengthen social values, encourage humanity and tackle problems affecting society.
However, the proposal quickly drew criticism from political leaders and religious bodies, who questioned the Board’s role in determining the content of religious sermons.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took to social media platform X on Tuesday to oppose the initiative, describing it as an attempt by the BJP to interfere in Muslim religious affairs.
Calling the proposal unacceptable, Abdullah demanded that the BJP-appointed Waqf Board chairperson immediately stop the initiative. He maintained that such an approach would not be accepted under any circumstances.
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti also expressed concern, arguing that Friday sermons should reflect the specific circumstances and challenges faced by individual communities.
According to Mufti, imposing a uniform framework on religious preachers would overlook differences between localities and undermine the independent role of Islamic scholars in addressing community concerns.
She accused the BJP of treating Jammu and Kashmir as a testing ground for policies that could eventually be introduced elsewhere. Drawing a comparison with proposals for a Uniform Civil Code, she warned against attempts to standardise religious practices.
Mufti also called for the administration of Waqf properties in Jammu and Kashmir to be transferred to the elected government. She suggested that any coordination relating to religious sermons should be undertaken by the Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema under Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
Emphasising the importance of religious independence, she argued that matters of faith should not be dictated through arbitrary administrative decisions.
The MMU, an umbrella organisation representing several religious and socio-religious bodies, also rejected the proposal.
In its statement, the organisation questioned whether a statutory body should have any authority to determine or regulate the subjects discussed from a mosque’s pulpit. It said the Muslim community in Jammu and Kashmir would not accept such interference.
The MMU urged the Waqf Board to concentrate on its primary responsibilities, including the management, maintenance and protection of Waqf properties, rather than becoming involved in matters that could create religious controversy.
Amid the growing criticism, Andrabi addressed a press conference in Srinagar on Tuesday and denied that the Board had issued any binding order requiring mosques to deliver identical Friday sermons.
“There is no order. There is no order anywhere,” she said, rejecting claims that the proposed arrangement had been made compulsory.
Andrabi maintained that neither she nor any Board official could dictate what religious scholars should preach. She said the subjects would be decided independently by scholars and preachers, with the proposed committee intended to encourage discussion of pressing social problems.
She also clarified that she would not be a member of the core committee, which would comprise religious scholars.
Defending the initiative, Andrabi highlighted concerns such as drug addiction, suicides, family problems and mental trauma among young people. She said the objective was to encourage religious leaders to address these challenges and contribute to social reform.
Responding to allegations that the BJP was attempting to influence Muslim religious practices, Andrabi questioned the basis of the criticism and defended her political affiliation.
The clarification has added another dimension to the controversy, with the Board maintaining that it intends to encourage voluntary cooperation among scholars, while opponents remain concerned about the possibility of administrative interference in religious matters.
The debate has brought questions of religious autonomy, the management of Waqf institutions and the role of elected representatives into focus in Jammu and Kashmir. While the Board has defended its proposed initiative as a means of addressing social problems, political leaders and religious organisations have insisted that decisions concerning sermons must remain in the hands of independent religious scholars.