Srinagar, Oct 13 (KNS): Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian President Aga Syed Hassan Mosavi Al-Safavi on Tuesday opposed the reported move by the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board to constitute a committee of Muftis, Imams and Khateebs to prescribe common topics for Friday sermons, saying religious discourse must remain independent of administrative interference.

In a statement, Aga Hassan said the responsibility of delivering religious guidance through Friday sermons rests with qualified scholars and clerics, and the Waqf Board should not interfere in matters concerning religious interpretation or sermon content.

He said the Mimbar (pulpit) is an Amanah (trust) and its sanctity must be protected from administrative control.

The Shia leader cautioned that any attempt to introduce uniformity in Friday sermons through an institutional mechanism could undermine the independence of religious scholars and interfere with established religious practices.

He maintained that Friday sermons serve as an important platform for spiritual guidance, moral instruction and discussion of contemporary social issues, and their content should be determined by religious scholars according to the needs of their congregations.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Aga Hassan said the Waqf Board's primary responsibility was to manage Waqf properties, ensure administrative accountability and safeguard the interests of religious institutions.

He asserted that the Board's administrative authority should not extend to deciding sermon topics or influencing the independent functioning of Imams and religious scholars.

The Anjuman president urged the Waqf Board to reconsider the reported proposal and respect the autonomy of Ulema and Khateebs.

He said the administration of religious institutions and the responsibility of providing religious guidance were separate functions and should not be brought under a common administrative framework.

Aga Hassan reiterated that religious scholars must retain their independence in addressing spiritual, moral and social issues through Friday sermons. (KNS)