Dr Darakhshan Andrabi clarifies exercise is meant to safeguard religious institutions, denies any hidden agenda behind the process
Srinagar: Chairperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board, Dr Darakhshan Andrabi, on Tuesday said that the ongoing verification of Imams, Khateebs and mosques across the Union Territory should not be politicised, asserting that the exercise is aimed solely at safeguarding religious institutions and ensuring their proper management.
Addressing concerns raised by some quarters, Dr Andrabi made it clear that the verification process has no political, ideological or religious agenda behind it. She said the initiative is part of the Waqf Board’s statutory responsibility to protect mosques and other Waqf properties from misuse, encroachment and administrative irregularities.
“The verification of Imams, Khateebs and mosques should not be politicised. This exercise is being carried out only to safeguard these sacred institutions and to ensure transparency and accountability in their functioning,” Dr Andrabi said.
She explained that the Waqf Board is mandated to maintain proper records of mosques, shrines and religious functionaries, adding that many properties lack updated documentation due to decades of neglect. According to her, verification will help the Board streamline records, prevent unauthorised appointments, and ensure that religious spaces are not exploited for unlawful or disruptive activities.
Dr Andrabi further said that similar verification mechanisms exist in other parts of the country and should not be viewed with suspicion in Jammu and Kashmir. “There is no hidden agenda behind this exercise. It is purely administrative and legal in nature,” she said.
The Waqf Chairperson also appealed to religious scholars, mosque committees and the general public to cooperate with the process, stating that transparency will ultimately strengthen trust in religious institutions.
She warned against spreading misinformation, saying that unnecessary controversy could harm communal harmony. “Mosques are places of worship and unity. Any attempt to misrepresent this exercise for political mileage is unfortunate,” she added.
The verification drive, according to the Waqf Board, will continue in a phased and orderly manner across the Union Territory.
Addressing concerns raised by some quarters, Dr Andrabi made it clear that the verification process has no political, ideological or religious agenda behind it. She said the initiative is part of the Waqf Board’s statutory responsibility to protect mosques and other Waqf properties from misuse, encroachment and administrative irregularities.
“The verification of Imams, Khateebs and mosques should not be politicised. This exercise is being carried out only to safeguard these sacred institutions and to ensure transparency and accountability in their functioning,” Dr Andrabi said.
She explained that the Waqf Board is mandated to maintain proper records of mosques, shrines and religious functionaries, adding that many properties lack updated documentation due to decades of neglect. According to her, verification will help the Board streamline records, prevent unauthorised appointments, and ensure that religious spaces are not exploited for unlawful or disruptive activities.
Dr Andrabi further said that similar verification mechanisms exist in other parts of the country and should not be viewed with suspicion in Jammu and Kashmir. “There is no hidden agenda behind this exercise. It is purely administrative and legal in nature,” she said.
The Waqf Chairperson also appealed to religious scholars, mosque committees and the general public to cooperate with the process, stating that transparency will ultimately strengthen trust in religious institutions.
She warned against spreading misinformation, saying that unnecessary controversy could harm communal harmony. “Mosques are places of worship and unity. Any attempt to misrepresent this exercise for political mileage is unfortunate,” she added.
The verification drive, according to the Waqf Board, will continue in a phased and orderly manner across the Union Territory.
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