J&K Waqf Board takes U-turn on uniform Friday sermons

Earlier this week the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board announced a plan to form a committee that would pre‑determine the topics of Friday sermons delivered in mosques under its jurisdiction. The proposal was presented as a way to ensure that religious messages aligned with broader social goals, but it was quickly met with criticism from opposition parties and community leaders who argued that it represented unwarranted political interference in religious affairs. Critics pointed to recent instances where political groups had attempted to influence religious discourse, warning that such a move could erode the autonomy traditionally enjoyed by Islamic scholars in the region.

The board’s chairperson, Darakshan Andrabi, issued a statement two days later reversing the earlier decision and declaring that the selection of sermon topics would be left entirely to individual preachers. Andrabi emphasized that religious leaders, not politicians, should guide the spiritual content of Friday prayers, and he promised that no external committee would be formed to dictate messages. The announcement was accompanied by a clarification that the board’s role would remain limited to administrative oversight of mosque properties and charitable activities, distancing itself from any direct involvement in theological matters.

The reversal has been welcomed by many local clerics who view it as a protection of religious freedom in a region that has experienced heightened political sensitivities since the revocation of Article 370. Analysts suggest that the board’s decision may also be an attempt to avoid further legal challenges and public protests that could disrupt communal harmony. For residents of Jammu and Kashmir, the episode highlights the delicate balance between state institutions and religious bodies, and it underscores the importance of keeping religious discourse free from overt political control.