Tanveer Hussain
Srinagar 13 OCT: President of Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian Jammu and Kashmir, Hujjat-ul-Islam wal-Muslimeen Aga Syed Hassan Mosavi Al-Safavi, has strongly reacted to the reported proposal of the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board to constitute a committee comprising Muftis, Imams and Khateebs to prescribe common topics for Friday sermons, describing the move as unnecessary interference in religious affairs.
Aga Syed Hassan Mosavi Al-Safavi made it clear that religious guidance, interpretation of religious matters and the selection of topics for Friday sermons fall within the domain of qualified religious scholars, Ulema and Imams, rather than administrative bodies. He said the Waqf Board should confine itself to its administrative responsibilities and respect the autonomy of religious scholars in matters of faith.
He stated that the Mimbar is an Amanah (sacred trust) and that its sanctity, independence and scholarly dignity must be protected. Friday sermons are not merely formal addresses but serve as an important means of religious education, moral instruction, spiritual guidance and social reform. Therefore, their topics should be determined in accordance with religious principles, scholarly understanding and the needs of the time, rather than administrative directives or institutional pressure.
The President of Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian cautioned that any attempt to prescribe uniform topics for Friday sermons could undermine the scholarly freedom and religious autonomy of Ulema and Khateebs. He observed that social conditions, public needs and community-related issues vary from one area to another. Therefore, religious scholars and Imams should have the freedom to guide people in accordance with their religious and scholarly understanding and the circumstances prevailing in their respective areas.
Aga Hassan Mosavi Al-Safavi said that the primary responsibilities of the Waqf Board include the proper management of Waqf properties, ensuring financial and administrative transparency, safeguarding religious institutions and providing necessary facilities to pilgrims and devotees. He asserted that administrative responsibilities cannot be used as a justification for exercising authority over religious guidance.
He emphasised that the Waqf Board must discharge its duties within its designated administrative mandate and respect the religious and scholarly role of Ulema, Imams and Khateebs. Maintaining that the administration of religious institutions and the provision of religious guidance are two distinct responsibilities, he said that conflating the two would be inappropriate.
Reiterating his opposition to the reported proposal, Aga Syed Hassan Mosavi Al-Safavi urged the Waqf Board to refrain from attempting to prescribe uniform topics for Friday sermons and ensure that the autonomy of Ulema and Imams in religious matters remains protected.
