Srinagar, Oct 13 (KNS): National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday strongly opposed the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board's proposal to introduce uniform Friday sermons across mosques in the Union Territory, describing the move as an assault on religious independence and demanding its immediate withdrawal.

In a statement posted on X through his official office account, the Srinagar MP said religious pulpits should remain free from institutional control and that no committee should determine the content of sermons delivered by religious scholars.

"The pulpit loses its essence and institutional value if it surrenders to power. It was never meant to bow down and it never should," Ruhullah said.

His remarks came in response to reports that the J&K Waqf Board was pushing for a system of uniform Friday sermons in mosques across the Union Territory.

Questioning the proposed arrangement, Ruhullah said the move amounted to interference in religious affairs under the guise of administrative coordination.

"The Waqf Board's plan to dictate Friday sermons is an assault on our faith, dressed up as 'coordination.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel' No committee should decide what our Ulema say in the house of Allah," he said.

The MP maintained that religious sermons should not be subjected to directives issued by administrative bodies, arguing that the independence of the pulpit was fundamental to religious practice.

"The pulpits cannot be silenced with a circular. This order should be withdrawn immediately. The Mimber (Pulpit) is not up for negotiation," he said.

The proposed uniform sermon mechanism has raised questions over the extent of administrative involvement in religious discourse and the autonomy of religious scholars in determining the subjects addressed during Friday prayers.

Ruhullah's statement adds to the opposition to the proposal, with the MP insisting that coordination cannot be used as a justification for controlling religious sermons.

The statement did not indicate whether he had formally approached the Waqf Board seeking withdrawal of the proposal.

The Waqf Board's response to Ruhullah's remarks was not available in the statement. (KNS)