Srinagar, July 02: A 70-year-old retired scientist, who was ousted from the Imam-u-Khateeb post at Hazratbal Shrine in summer capital Srinagar, Tuesday issued a press release condemning what he describes as unwanted interference by the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board in religious traditions.
“This press release pertains to the event of 02 April of 2024 where by a notice was served to me by J&K Waqf Board in which I was debarred from leading the prayers as Imam-u-Khateeb at Hazratbal Shrine. The fact of the matter is on 2nd April 2024 a congregation of two lakhs devotees who had assembled in the lawns of Hazratbal Shrine for prayers on Jamatul vida bear witness to the event in which I in the capacity of imam asked this non-local person as to whether he converts to Islam under pressure, coercion, threat or any kind of fear?,” the preacher said in a handout issued to Srinagar based news gathering agency Kashmir Dot Com.
“In reply he announced that he does so out of his “own free will & consent”. During his announcement Waqf Employees of Hazratbal unit along with the Administrator, Police Personnel, Naib Imam (Bilal Shah), Muazin (Khazer Muhammad) & Mujavirs were on spot standing alongside of this local person on the dias,” he said.
“A transparent and clear administration of Kalimah-e-Shadah under Muslim Fiqh was administered by me before the congregation. Later on, Waqf Board constituted three member committee to investigate into this matter of conversion & directed the committee to furnish the report within seven days from the date of issue of the notice. I have since deposed before the committee and have furnished them the details about this conversion in writing.”
“Prior to this police summoned me to their station for questioning which lasted for nearly 3 & 1/2 hours. Three months have elapsed now my restoration as Imam-u-Khateeb of Hazrtabal shrine has not so far been ordered by Waqf Board.”
“Waqf Board has no mandate to interfere with personal faith and religious practices. Indian Constitution according to article 25 gives religious freedom to practise, profess, and propagate any religion. It is pertinent to mention here that I have been delivering sermons (Khutbas) on occasions of Meraj-ul-alam, Milad-un-Nabi, Shab-e-Qadr etc for the last 35 years & have always emphasized on religious harmony, fraternity & peace.”
“By virtue of this press release we want to inform the government, to intervene as this is the matter of religious delicacy and sentiment. This should be made very clear before the authorities that this amid political turmoil /British rule & so on, we have always remained apolitical throughout,” he further said. (KDC)
