Amid row, Andrabi says no directive issued by Waqf Board on common Friday sermons

Srinagar, Oct 13 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board chairperson Darakhshan Andrabi on Tuesday defended the proposal for common themes in Friday sermons at mosques and shrines under the Board, asserting that no directive had been issued and that the decision rested with imams, khatibs and religious scholars. Amid a political row over the proposal, Andrabi said the initiative was aimed at addressing social problems, including drug abuse, alcoholism, youth suicides and other concerns affecting society, and urged political leaders not to politicise religious matters. "Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board is a religious board. There are religious preachers, mosques and…