![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kmsnews.org\/kms\/assests\/2025\/11\/Agha-Syed-Hassan.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Srinagar: Religious leaders and political parties have opposed the BJP-led Waqf Board for issuing directives to regulate Friday sermons in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.<\/p>\n
According to Kashmir Media Service, senior APHC leader and President of Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian Agha Syed Hassan Mosavi Al-Safavi, Democratic Freedom Party and the National Conference have raised objections to the proposed arrangement.<\/p>\n
Interference in religious affairs<\/p>\n
Agha Hassan opposed the move to form a committee of Muftis, Imams and Khateebs. The committee would prescribe common topics for Friday sermons. He said the pulpit was a sacred trust. He maintained that qualified religious scholars must guide worshippers through Friday sermons.<\/p>\n
He said the Waqf Board should restrict itself to administrative and statutory responsibilities. It should not determine religious guidance, scholarly interpretations or sermon content.<\/p>\n
Agha Hassan warned that imposing uniformity could undermine the independence of religious scholars. He said sermons provided spiritual guidance, moral instruction and responses to contemporary social challenges.<\/p>\n
He urged the Board to respect the independence of Ulema and Imams. He also called for proper management of Waqf properties and greater administrative accountability.<\/p>\n
Unity under Mirwaiz Umar Farooq<\/p>\n
DFP General Secretary Dr Ghulam Rasool strongly condemned the Board\u2019s decision. He described it as interference in religious affairs and a threat to institutional independence.<\/p>\n
He appealed to religious scholars, Imams and community leaders to strengthen their unity. He urged them to organise a peaceful, collective response under Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.<\/p>\n
Dr Rasool said decisions affecting Muslim religious institutions must respect religious freedom and public sentiments. He stressed that religious scholars must be consulted before such decisions are made.<\/p>\n
He questioned India\u2019s democratic credentials, citing government interference in religious affairs. He urged the international community, human rights organisations and relevant institutions to examine the issue.<\/p>\n
He said Kashmiris already faced numerous challenges concerning their political, civil and religious rights. Further interference in religious matters could deepen public concern and resentment, he warned.<\/p>\n
Religious independence<\/p>\n
The opposition comes amid the Waqf Board\u2019s plan to prescribe common sermon topics across IIOJK mosques. Under the proposed arrangement, topics would be decided in advance and approved by a committee of preachers.<\/p>\n
The controversy has raised concerns about the boundary between administrative oversight and religious authority. The critics maintain that Waqf management and religious guidance are distinct responsibilities.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Srinagar: Religious leaders and political parties have opposed the BJP-led Waqf Board for issuing directives to regulate Friday sermons in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. According to Kashmir Media Service, senior APHC leader and President of Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian Agha Syed Hassan Mosavi Al-Safavi, Democratic Freedom Party and the National Conference have raised objections to …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":195954,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-213183","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-indian-occupied-jammu-and-kashmir"],"yoast_head":"\n