RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh Waqf board in a bid to let mosques in the state stay clear of controversy and undertake an image makeover has directed all Mutawallis (caretakers) at mosques and imams to seek approval on the topic of sermons to be delivered before the prayers every Friday. A circular to this effect was issued by the board on Sunday
“Yes, Chhattisgarh is first state to have taken such a decision because mosques have become a centre of politics where Mutawallis serve and impose their own political will and inclination on people by issuing ‘fatwa’ about whom to vote and not. This leads to disturbing the communal harmony in the society. The decision for approval on subjects of sermons to be sought for, is purely legal and as per the Waqf Act,” Salim Raj, Chhattisgarh Waqf Board chairman told TOI.
Raj announced the decision during his visit to Jagdalpur where he had gone to look into the alleged financial irregularities being committed at mosques by Mutawallis. He added that as per the Waqf Act, Mutawallis’ job and the meaning of this word is ‘caretaker’ of the mosque and they are supposed to be confined to their work as a caretaker, instead of indulging in other activities that disturb peace and communal harmony.
‘I’ve issued order on WhatsApp’
“I have issued the order on a WhatsApp group as of now and will officially send it to all Mutawallis in mosques of the state. A mosque is a religious place of prayer and worship, not a political adda. The Jumma Namaz (Friday sermon) speeches should not have any political inclination or discussion or deliverance. The mosques should confine themselves to religious sermons and not a source of issuing fatwas for and against political parties,” said Raj.
The order will be effective from the coming Friday (November 22) across all mosques in the state, he said. There are several complaints of financial irregularities by Mutawallis while many of them have never presented accounts since 1997, Raj said, adding that he’s going to lodge FIRs against such offenders soon.
Reacting to the decision, Asaduddin Owaisi took to X stating, “The Waqf Board of the BJP government in Chhattisgarh wants that before delivering the Friday sermon, the Khatib should get his sermon checked by the Waqf Board and should not deliver the sermon without the permission of the Board. Now the BJP people will tell us what is Deen (path)? Now do we have to take permission from them to follow our Deen? The Waqf Board does not have any such legal power, even if it had, it would still be against Article 25 of the Constitution.”