Kashmir Waqf Board Removes Dargah Hazratbal Imam, His Function In ‘Conversion’ Case Underneath Scrutiny

SRINAGAR: Within the aftermath of an FIR registered over an alleged pressured conversion incident, the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board has taken swift motion, relieving the cleric of Hazratbal shrine from his duties and initiating an enquiry to probe his function.

The controversy unfolded on Jumat-ul-Vida, the final Friday of Ramazan, when a video surfaced exhibiting a non-local purportedly changing to Islam and reciting Kalima at Srinagar’s revered Hazratbal shrine. The incident shortly caught the eye of authorities, resulting in the submitting of an FIR at Nigeen police station towards a Srinagar resident accused of coercing his home assist, a non-local named Sandeep, into changing to Islam.

Responding to the gravity of the state of affairs, the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board convened an emergency assembly at its Central Workplace to deal with the incident and chart a approach ahead. The assembly, attended by main Imaam-o-Khateebs of the Board, unanimously concluded that the incident had prompted confusion and potential discord among the many public. Moreover, considerations have been raised in regards to the lack of adherence to due course of, each when it comes to Islamic legislation and authorities laws, through the alleged conversion.

In gentle of those findings, the Waqf Board took decisive motion, relieving Kamal-ud-din Farooqui, the cleric accused of presiding over the conversion, from his duties as Imaam-o-Khateeb, Aasar-i-Shareef, Hazratbal, pending the completion of the inquiry. The Waqf stated there have been allegations that Farooqui presided over forcible conversion throughout Friday prayers.

Moreover, the Board sanctioned the formation of an Enquiry Committee to research the matter completely. The committee, chaired by Syed Mohammad Hussain, a Board Member, consists of Ghulam Nabi Haleem, one other Board Member, and Mohammad Yaseen Khan, Imaam-o-Khateeb of Syed Karam Shah Sahib in Karan Nagar, Srinagar.

The committee has been tasked with analyzing the incident and submitting a factual report inside seven days. The choice displays the Board’s dedication to upholding the sanctity of non secular practices whereas guaranteeing compliance with authorized and moral requirements.

Because the investigation unfolds, all eyes are on the inquiry committee to make clear the circumstances surrounding the alleged pressured conversion, to protect public concord and restore confidence within the non secular establishments of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police had initiated authorized proceedings following a viral video exhibiting Sandeep Kumar, a Haryana resident, purportedly changing to Islam at Hazratbal shrine throughout Friday prayers. FIR no 55/2024 was registered at Police Station Nigeen beneath a number of sections of the Indian Penal Code. The video’s dissemination, police stated has sparked public unrest and considerations about non secular concord. Police stated Sandeep was allegedly coerced into changing by his employer, Anayat Muntazir.