From CM Omar & Mehbooba Mufti to Islamic councils key stakeholders condemn the move, Call for roll back
Srinagar | October 13: A proposal by the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board to centralize and guide Friday sermon themes across regional mosques has triggered a rare consensus of opposition across Kashmir’s political and religious spectrum.
Top leaders including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, PDP President Mehbooba Mufti, PC leader Sajad Lone, the Grand Mufti, and the Mirwaiz Umar Farooq-headed Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), have jointly urged the board to abandon the policy and respect the autonomy of Islamic institutions.
Reacting strongly to the directive, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah labeled the move an illegitimate intervention on X, stating, “This is an unacceptable attempt by the BJP to interfere in the religious affairs of Muslims and will not be accepted under any circumstances. The BJP appointed Chairperson must immediately halt this misplaced attempt to please her masters.” Addresssing the press in Srinagar, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti asserted, “Our imams and maulvis know what to say and when to speak,” further recommending that Waqf property administration be transferred to the elected regional government while religious affairs remain under recognized bodies of Ulema.
The MMU affirmed that state-directed sermon scripting violates Islamic tradition, releasing a statement that emphasized, “The state or government cannot assume for itself the authority to determine religious discourse and scripted speech to be delivered, or interfere in matters of faith and religious practice.” PC President Sajad Lone posted a brief warning on X, writing, “The pulpit belongs to faith, not government micromanagement. Hands off our mosques.”
Demanding a full retraction, NC spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq raised concerns over the precedent being set, stating, “What kind of an order is this, where you tell imams and khateebs what they have to say? Will the BJP now decide which khutbah should be delivered? I think this order should be taken back.” Fellow NC leader Imran Nabi Dar posted on X, “Now @BJP4India will DRAFT Friday sermons for mosques across Kashmir,” highlighting fears of political influence over pulpit guidance. The widespread opposition follows the board’s initiative to form a committee of religious figures to establish common themes for Friday prayers across Kashmir.
