The board is dealing with a scarcity of well-qualified imams, khateebs and muezzins. Representational file picture.
| Photograph Credit score: NISSAR AHMAD
The BJP-run J&Okay Waqf Board has determined to centralise and regiment the appointment of imams (preachers), khateebs (Quranic reciters) and muezzins (who name for prayers) within the Union Territory (UT). It has laid down recent standards to switch “these too superior in age” to hold out the duties.
“The board is dealing with a scarcity of well-qualified imams, khateebs and muezzins. Some are too superior in age to hold out their duties successfully. Representations acquired from most people additionally spotlight the demand for the appointment of well-qualified imaams, khateebs and muezzins,” Ishtiyaq Mohi-ud-Din, the board’s govt Justice of the Peace tahsildar, mentioned, in an order.
The board, headed by BJP chief Darakhshan Andrabi, has laid down eligibility standards for his or her appointment. It mentioned the candidates ought to have at the least Class 10 schooling, with a Molvi-Faazi course certificates from a Sunni Hanfi institute. “They need to use the teachings of the Sufiyah-e-Kiraam as a reference for their preaching and apply, ought to have broad information of previous and present uloom (spiritual sciences) in addition to trendy topics and related fields, ought to abstain from sectarian issues and promote a message of peace and concord in the neighborhood,” it reads.
It mentioned these candidates with each ‘Faazil’ and ‘Mufti’ levels shall be most well-liked as imaams and khateebs.
“A lot of individuals in our Valley possess levels in Islamic Research. The board has determined to recruit individuals who maintain a level in Islamic Research and might lead Islamic prayers and congregations properly. We wish to revive this tradition in Kashmir,” Ms. Andrabi mentioned. She mentioned she needs to listen to azaan learn because it’s in Saudi Arabia’s holiest websites.
Historically, the caretakers and mohalla committees across the shrines and mosques in Kashmir used to have a larger function in appointing these preachers.
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“There was all the time a course of for making appointments to those posts. The caretakers of the shrines and the locals used to have a say of their appointment too,” G.R Sufi, former J&Okay Chief Data Commissioner and ex-vice chairman of the J&Okay Muslim Waqf Board, mentioned.
Submit August 5, 2019, the board has introduced systemic modifications in its functioning, which incorporates eradicating conventional friends’ donation bins from the shrines, enrolling independently run shrines in it and ending the apply of dastaarbandhi (tying the turban), particularly of politicians within the shrines.
“Whereas it’s necessary to offer alternatives to younger people, it’s essential to recognise that have comes with age. For a non secular establishment just like the Waqf Board, it’s essential to have spiritual students with experience not solely of their spiritual area but additionally in worldly affairs. It’s not attainable to switch seasoned moulavis, preachers, and muezzins with a easy choice,” Nationwide Convention chief Tanvir Sadiq mentioned.
Mr. Sadiq mentioned unilateral choices was not solely inappropriate however would additionally fail to realize the meant objective. “There exists a Hanfiya faculty in Noor Bagh and different faculties, the place a rigorous choice course of is reportedly in place to establish potential spiritual students. Intervening in that course of is inappropriate,” he added.