Srinagar: The Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) has opposed the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board’s decision to introduce common themes for Friday sermons at mosques, shrines and other religious institutions under its administration, arguing that religious discourse falls within the domain of Ulema and Imams.
The organisation cautioned against state interference in religious affairs, maintaining that religious scholars and Imams should retain their autonomy in deciding the content of sermons.
The response comes after the Waqf Board, chaired by Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi, announced plans to constitute a core committee of religious scholars to finalise topics for Friday sermons across Waqf-managed institutions in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the Board, the proposed initiative aims to bring greater consistency to sermons and encourage discussions on moral responsibility, religious awareness, social harmony and the eradication of social evils. The selected themes would be communicated to Imams and Khateebs in advance for inclusion in their Friday sermons.
Addressing a meeting of Muftis, Imams, Khateebs and other religious scholars in Srinagar, Andrabi said the initiative was intended to bring Imams from different sects onto a common platform to strengthen religious values and promote social reform.
The Board has clarified that the proposed arrangement would apply only to institutions under its administration and would not extend to all mosques and religious institutions across Jammu and Kashmir.
However, the move has drawn objections over the question of religious autonomy and the extent to which an administrative body should influence the content of religious sermons. The MMU has maintained that religious discourse should remain the responsibility of Ulema and Imams, rather than being prescribed by authorities.
The Waqf Board has yet to announce the composition of the proposed committee, its timeline for formation or the first set of sermon themes to be finalised.
