Srinagar, Oct 13 (KNS): The Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema Jammu and Kashmir (MMU), an amalgam of leading religious and socio-religious organisations headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, on Tuesday strongly opposed the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board's reported move to introduce uniform Friday sermons in mosques, saying any attempt to regulate religious discourse would be unacceptable.

In a statement issued here, the MMU expressed serious concern over reports that the Waqf Board was considering prescribing common themes for Friday sermons, asserting that religious guidance remained the exclusive domain of Ulema, Imams and recognised religious institutions.

The amalgam said even the suggestion that a statutory body could determine or regulate what was preached from the Mimbar (pulpit) was "ridiculous" and would never be accepted by the Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir.

"The Mimbar is an Amanah (sacred trust), and religious guidance is the domain of Ulema, Imams and recognised religious institutions, rooted in Islamic scholarship and the traditions of different schools of thought," the MMU said.

It maintained that the state or government could not assume the authority to determine religious discourse, prescribe scripted sermons or interfere in matters of faith and religious practice.

Drawing a distinction between voluntary coordination among religious scholars and intervention by an administrative body, the MMU said religious organisations were free to collectively deliberate on common religious and social concerns and formulate appropriate responses.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

However, it said, any attempt by a state-linked administrative institution to prescribe sermon themes or issue directions to religious scholars amounted to interference in religious affairs.

"Such an approach amounts to forcible state intrusion into the religious sphere, which is against the law and the principles of freedom of religious practice," the amalgam said.

The MMU urged the Waqf Board to restrict itself to its statutory and administrative responsibilities, including the management, maintenance and protection of Waqf properties entrusted to it.

It also cautioned the Board against pursuing what it described as a "devious agenda" that could create unnecessary controversy over religious matters.

The amalgam reiterated that decisions concerning religious teachings, Friday sermons and matters of faith should remain with recognised religious scholars and institutions rather than administrative authorities.

The MMU comprises several prominent religious and socio-religious organisations, including Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid, the Muslim Personal Law Board associated with the Mufti Azam, Darul Uloom Rahimiyah, Anjuman Shariee Shian, Jamiat Ahle Hadith, Anjuman Himayat-ul-Islam, Anjuman Tabligh-ul-Islam, Jamiat Hamdania, Anjuman Ulama-e-Ahnaf and several other religious, educational and welfare institutions across Jammu and Kashmir. (KNS)