The UT administration of J&K’s move to profile mosques, madrassas and religious functionaries including imams, muezzins and management committees across the Kashmir Valley has created apprehensions within the Muslim community that has been accentuated due to ignorance and negative propaganda spread by vested interests.

When analysed with an unprejudiced mind, it becomes apparent that this decision is definitely not a hostile or disturbing development as being portrayed by certain individuals and groups. In fact, the data collection drive concerning mosques and their representatives by the J&K Police is a positive step to guard against unscrupulous elements weaponising religion and vitiating social unity and communal harmony

It is an undeniable reality that religious radicalism has fanned a terror ecosystem across this region causing humongous suffering and deep feelings of fear and socio-economic uncertainty. The official word out is that this initiative is not a case of administrative overreach, but simply a framework for religious oversight under the “Profiling of Masjid Protocol.”

Under this protocol, each mosque will be catalogued and categorised. This includes its name, exact geographical coordinates, ideological affiliation, what Islamic traditions it follows, i.e., Barelvi, Hanafi, Deobandi or Ahl-e-Hadees, whether buildings are permanent, makeshift or prefabricated, of how many floors,........

© Eurasia Review