Uniform Friday sermons: Waqf Board plan faces backlash in IIOJK
The Waqf Board says a committee will pick common sermon topics, but its chairperson denies making them compulsory, as Omar Abdullah and top scholars object.
The Waqf Board announced a plan for uniform Friday sermons at mosques across IIOJK last weekend.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called the proposal “unacceptable” and asked the chairperson to withdraw it.
Chairperson Darakhshan Andrabi denies issuing any order that makes sermon themes compulsory.
A scholar who attended a meeting says only pre-approved sermons would be read; the sources disagree.
The plan is still contested, and no change to mosque sermons is reported as having taken effect.