For different set of reasons, I have long admired Friday sermons. Maulana hazraat trained and disciplined in eastern tradition of rhetoric from young age, often demonstrate exhilarating skills of advocacy in engaging a huge crowd for hours week after week – mostly drawing on foreign language. At times their understanding of meter and their articulate construction of speech leaves one spellbound.
In Ramzan, I insist on not spelling it as Ramadan, Maulana hazraat usually are at their emotive best - especially on Fridays. But their message is not always free from controversies. Last Friday, one Maulana sahib, another fine speaker I admit, made a certain digression that stood out for all the wrong reasons. Students of literature, in particular Russian, marvel at digressions. Speech can be equally charming if dotted with qualitative digressions. But a digression, if not completely thought out can also become “frustrating parenthetical episode” as was of Maulana sahib's.
He critiqued US Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges recognizing fundamental right of same-sex couples to marry. Needless but made sense – and then he followed it up with his apprehension our Supreme Court too could uphold that precedent – as it is prone to upholding precedents of foreign jurisdictions. Constitutional jurisprudence is not Maulana sahib’s forte- one. And two; his digression was completely unwarranted.
He also conceived argument with regards significance of 27th Ramzan that was historically indeterminate. Maulana sahib argued since Pakistan was also established on 27th Ramzan, ergo, it is the Divine’s will that Pakistan should become fortress of Islam. Extending him a benefit of doubt, he is right – but only if we arrive at a consensus to start celebrating our independence day in accordance with declaration contained in the Indian Independence Act 1947. It reads: “As from the fifteenth day of August, nineteen hundred and forty-seven, two independent Dominions shall be set up in India, to be known respectively as India and Pakistan”. Ironically in 1947, it was 27th Ramzan on August 15. But the League decided the independence day of Pakistan should be celebrated on August 14. Perhaps we should let our brother Mewlanas of India spin 27th Ramzan-argument in their favour!
It isn’t about abject digression or ill-conceived argument. There is a graver proposition staring at us here; why can’t our honourable Maulanas confine themselves to domain of religion, why must Friday sermons invariably lapse into vilifying others (including women) and what is the role of state in management of content pushed from mosques.
With enactment of Auqaf (Federal Control) Act, 1976; Ministry of Religious Affairs was entrusted to regulate and manage mosques in Pakistan. Subsequently Auqaf was de-federalized while in Islamabad, Auqaf directorate was transferred to Chief Commissioner, ICT. Thus the provincial and federal governments have the statutory mandate to regulate structure and composition of mosques.
One of the important functions of Auqaf is to appoint functionaries of mosques and give directions “prohibiting delivery of sermons, Khutbas or lectures which may contain any matter calculated to arouse feelings of hatred or, disaffection amongst various religious sects or groups in the country and directions prohibiting such person from indulging in party politics through sermons, Khutbas or lectures, and such person shall comply with such directions.” There is a conspicuous lack of official commitment in this regard. The deliberate omission makes federal and provincial governments complicit in abuse of sacred institution of mosques and misplaced ideologies emanating from them.
According to the directorate of Auqaf, at present, there are only 90 mosques managed by the directorate in Islamabad. The list includes 39 Barelvi, 46 Deobandi, two Ahl-e-hadith and three Shia mosques. This leaves overwhelming majority of the mosques in Islamabad alone out of Auqaf’s fold. Those mosques are completely unregulated both in terms of financial trails and ideologies they preach. The content and narrative that comes out of these mosques goes completely unchecked influencing hundredsin attendanceevery week. This is not unique to Islamabad; it is a part of general trend across the country.
“As the preacher once said, I could write shorter sermons but once I start I get too lazy to stop” – Spielberg’s epic Lincoln aptly describes our Maulanas as well. It is not just a question of when but also where to stop. Our Maulanas need to draw a line and identify the socio-religious issues they must and mustn’t delve on. While all mosques should be registered with Auqaaf, Maulanas should also be appreciative of their sensitive position in the society and be extremely cautious in choosing their weekly themes.
In our divisive society today, the need for integrative and non-confrontational narrative is extremely strong and here mosques, that are both community centers and places of learning, can play a decisive role.
