Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Condemns Waqf Board’s Directive as Attack on Religious Freedom
Srinagar: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Tuesday criticized the Chhattisgarh Waqf Board’s directive requiring mutawalis (custodians of waqf properties) to seek approval before delivering Friday sermons. Calling it a direct attack on religious rights and freedoms, he termed the move unconstitutional and beyond the jurisdiction of any Waqf Board.
“The move by a BJP-ruled state asking mutawalis to seek consent from the state-appointed Waqf head before Friday sermons is a direct attack on the religious rights and freedom of the Muslim community, besides being beyond the jurisdiction of any Waqf Board. It exposes the real motive behind the Waqf Amendment Bill brought in the parliament by BJP. State control of religious rights and affairs is completely unacceptable and will be strongly opposed by Muslims,” he stated in a post on X,
Mirwaiz also extended his support to political leaders like Asaduddin Owaisi and others fighting against such measures. Highlighting the communal narrative propagated against Muslims, particularly in election-bound states, he noted that these actions exacerbate the alienation and insecurities of the Muslim-majority population in Jammu and Kashmir, raising concerns about their future.
The statement reflects growing concerns within the Muslim community about the erosion of religious freedoms and the politicization of faith-based governance.
