J&K Waqf board relieves Hazratbal shrine cleric over “forced conversion”, orders probe
Srinagar :Days after an FIR was registered over alleged forced conversion, the J&K Waqf Board has relieved the cleric of Hazratbal shrine and constituted an enquiry committee to probe his role.
On Jumat-ul-Vida- the last Friday of Ramadan, a video showed a non-local converting to Islam and reciting Kalima at Srinagar’s Hazratbal shrine. Police registered an FIR the same day under various sections at Nigeen police station alleging that a Srinagar resident forced the non-local who was his domestic help to convert to Islam.
The J&K Waqf Board has now acted against the cleric and relieved Kamal-ud-din Farooqui from the duties of Imam-o-Khateeb, Aasar-i-Shareef, Hazratbal till the completion of the enquiry.
The Waqf said there were allegations that Farooqui presided over forcible conversion during Friday prayers.
Given the allegations, an emergency meeting was convened at the Central Waqf office on Monday to discuss the incident and determine the future course of action.
The meeting noted that due process was not followed during the conversion and that both Islamic law and government regulations were not followed.
“During the meeting, all leading Imaam-o-Khateebs of the Board unanimously concluded that this incident has caused confusion and chaos among the general public and has the potential to disturb public harmony. Additionally, it was noted that due process was not followed during the conversion and that both Islamic law and government regulations were not followed,” an order issued by the Executive Magistrate ( Tehsildar) Waqf Board read.
It was also agreed that a committee should be formed to inquire into the matter.
“Furthermore, they deemed it improper for Dr. Kamal-ud-din Farooqui to retain the position of Imam-o-Khateeb until the conclusion of the inquiry. Accordingly, in light of this, sanction was accorded to the constitution of an Enquiry Committee,” the order read.
The committee will be headed by Syed Mohammad Hussain, a Board Member, of the J&K Waqf Board and it will have two members Ghulam Nabi Haleem, a Board Member, of J&K Waqf Board and Mohammad Yaseen Khan, Imaam-o-Khateeb, Syed Karam Shah Sahib, Karan Nagar, Srinagar
“Kamal-ud-din Farooqui is relieved from the duties of Imam-o-Khateeb, Aasar-i-Shareef, Hazratbal till completion of the enquiry or till further orders,” the order read.
The Committee shall examine the matter and furnish a factual report within seven days.