Srinagar/New Delhi: A proposal by the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board to introduce common or uniform topics for Friday sermons (khutba) at mosques and religious institutions under its control has triggered widespread criticism from political leaders, religious organisations and opposition parties, who have described it as interference in the religious affairs of Muslims.

The issue emerged after the Board, headed by senior BJP leader Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi, held a meeting of muftis, imams, khateebs and religious scholars in Srinagar recently. The Board decided to constitute a core committee of religious scholars to identify and finalise common themes for Friday sermons in advance and communicate them to preachers associated with Waqf-managed mosques, shrines and Jama Masjids. The stated aim was to promote social harmony, moral values and awareness on issues such as drug abuse, suicides, late marriages, waywardness and other social concerns, so that a coordinated message could have greater impact.

Reports indicated that an executive magistrate associated with the Board, Ishtiyaq Mohi-ud-Din, informed participants that a directive had been issued for only one topic to be highlighted in the sermons. The proposal was limited to institutions under the Waqf Board’s administration, though suggestions were sought on bringing non-affiliated mosques into the fold.

Facing sharp backlash, Andrabi clarified on October 13 that the Board had issued no formal order making uniform sermons mandatory. She said religious scholars and preachers remained free to decide the issues they wished to address, and that such decisions would be taken by ulemas and khateebs, not politicians or Board officials. She emphasised that the idea originated from scholars themselves during the meeting and was intended to collectively address social evils.

Opposition from political leaders

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah (National Conference) termed the move “an unacceptable attempt by the BJP to interfere in the religious affairs of Muslims” that “will not be accepted under any circumstances.” He called on the BJP-appointed chairperson to immediately halt what he described as a misplaced attempt.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti strongly opposed the proposal, calling it interference in religious practices and likening the push for uniformity to the Uniform Civil Code. She asserted that imams and maulvis know what to say and when, stressed the diversity of local realities that shape Friday sermons, and demanded that control of the Waqf Board be handed over to the elected government.

The Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), an umbrella body of Islamic organisations headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, rejected any attempt by the Waqf Board or a statutory authority to prescribe or regulate uniform Friday sermons. It stated that determining sermon content is the domain of Islamic scholars and imams, not an administrative body, and that the Board should confine itself to managing and protecting Waqf properties.

Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone described pre-vetting and deciding Friday sermons through a Board committee as “direct interference in religious freedom and pulpit autonomy,” adding: “The pulpit belongs to faith, not government micromanagement. Hands off our mosques.” Other parties including the Awami Ittehad Party also criticised the move.

On Friday, CPI(M) Central Committee member and Kulgam MLA Mohd Yousuf Tarigami said: “The proposal to introduce uniform topics for Friday sermons at mosques raises serious concerns about interference in the religious affairs of people.” He noted that while the Waqf Board chairman had denied any intention to impose such a system, the very suggestion raised questions about the role of authorities in religious matters. Tarigami cautioned that such moves could be seen as testing public reaction to greater government involvement in religious affairs, and stressed that even without a formal order there were concerns about attempts to influence what religious leaders say. He underlined that religious freedom must be respected, the autonomy of religious institutions should not be undermined, and that managing Waqf properties is distinct from deciding what people hear in places of worship.

CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby also criticised the reported move, describing it as an infringement of the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of religion under Articles 25 and 26, which protect the right to profess, practise and propagate religion and the right of religious denominations to manage their own affairs in matters of religion.

The controversy has highlighted tensions over the autonomy of religious discourse in Jammu and Kashmir, with critics viewing any centralised direction on sermon themes as overreach by a Board led by a political appointee, while the Board maintains the focus remains on voluntary collective action by scholars against social problems.