Srinagar, October 13: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday criticised the Waqf Board’s proposal to introduce common themes for Friday sermons, describing it as unacceptable interference in the religious affairs of Muslims.
In a post on X, Abdullah accused the BJP of intervening in religious matters and demanded that Waqf Board chairperson Darakhshan Andrabi immediately halt the exercise.
The proposal involves forming a committee of Muftis, Imams and Khateebs to select common subjects for sermons. According to the Board, the themes would cover religious awareness, moral values, social harmony, unity and community concerns in accordance with Islamic teachings.
The Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema, headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, also opposed the initiative. It maintained that religious guidance belongs to scholars, Imams and recognised religious institutions, and said the Board should confine itself to administrative responsibilities.
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti raised similar objections, saying Friday sermons should reflect the circumstances and concerns of local communities. She argued that a uniform format would overlook those differences and called for Waqf administration to be placed under the elected government.
Responding to the criticism, Andrabi said the proposal had come from Imams and Muftis rather than the government. She defended it as an initiative originating within the religious community.
