The Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Council has decided to form a special committee. This committee will consist of imams and religious scholars, whose task is to approve common themes for sermons that will be delivered in mosques and shrines on Fridays and other religious dates.
Council Chairperson Dr. Syed Darkhshan Andrabi informed the publication TOI that this decision was made at a meeting on Saturday after proposals were presented by imams and Islamic scholars. Approximately 1500 muftis, imams, and Islamic scholars participated in the meeting.
Andrabi emphasized that government officials have no influence on the decision made. She stated that the committee will be fully responsible for determining issues related to the uniformity of sermons. According to her, this step is necessary to address problems in the UT, particularly social vices, including drug abuse.
Dr. Andrabi also noted that despite the presence of various sects in Jammu and Kashmir and people's adherence to different schools of thought, the Council does not intend to interfere with anyone's sectarian affiliation. However, she expressed a desire to avoid dividing society along religious lines.
She added that she considers the mosque a center of religious knowledge and education and believes that the steps taken will significantly help in achieving this goal.