20-Rakat Taraveeh with Khatm-e-Quran to be ensured at all shrines, Masjids during Ramadhan: Dr Darakhshan

Waqf Board enhances remuneration of Imams, Khateebs, Muazzins by 30 pc

STATE TIMES NEWS

SRINAGAR: In a significant development, Jammu & Kashmir Waqf Board led by Chairperson, Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi has announced a major hike of 30 per cent to the remuneration of Imams, Khateebs & Muazziins who are performing their duties on Shrines & Mosques directly administered by J&K Waqf Board. The decision in this regard was taken on Sunday after a meeting of Imams & Khateebs, chaired by Dr Darakhshan Andrabi, in the Conference Hall of Waqf at Sonwar Srinagar.
In another major development, Chairperson also announced that J&K Waqf Board shall be providing adequate accommodation facilities to the Imams & Khateebs who are posted at places far off from their home. Some other major initiatives taken in this direction include relief assistance of up to Rs 1 lakh in case of natural calamity leading to house damage, disease/accidents requiring hospitalization; provision of library facilities for Imams & Khateebs where religious literature shall be made available so that they shall not have to purchase it at their level, bearing cost of Electricity & Water bills of their accommodations, no Imam, Khateeb, or Muazzin shall be removed from his position on complaint of locals, unless charges are proved after proper enquiry etc. It was further decided that as demanded by Imams & Khateebs, J&K Waqf Board shall be organising frequent Training Programmes by roping in well known religious scholars. Bringing an end to the past practice, they shall be entitled to remuneration during Leave Period as well. A Committee shall be constituted, that shall have two members from amongst Imams & Khateebs, to look into the issues of rationalisation & transfers. Imams & Khateebs shall have to be consulted by the Administrators of Shrines & Mosques in decisions regarding religious activities.
Further, the Imams & Khateebs were requested to organise Nazool-e-Quraan Conferences & other conferences on special occasions. It was also impressed upon all the Khateebs to ensure strict adherence to timings as publicised for the information of general public. The decisions have been taken in line with the reformative agenda initiated by J&K Waqf Board with an intention of restoring status & dignity of Imams & Khateebs as envisaged through the teachings of Quran-o-Hadees.