Srinagar, October 13: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday criticised the J&K Waqf Board’s proposal to introduce uniform Friday sermons across mosques in Jammu and Kashmir, describing the move as interference in the religious affairs of Muslims.

In a post on X, Abdullah said the initiative was unacceptable and accused the BJP of attempting to influence religious matters. He called on the Waqf Board chairperson, appointed during the BJP’s tenure, to immediately withdraw the proposal.

The J&K Waqf Board has proposed a mechanism under which Friday sermons, or Khutbas, would follow common themes across mosques in the Union Territory. Under the proposed arrangement, a committee of preachers would decide and approve the topics to be delivered at religious gatherings.

If implemented, the initiative would make Jammu and Kashmir the first region in the country to adopt such a system, according to the proposal.