Srinagar: With the holy month of Ramadan expected to commence in Jammu and Kashmir from tomorrow, prominent Islamic scholar Mufti Nazir Ahmad Qasmi has called for a uniform and disciplined arrangement in mosques to prevent recurring disputes over Iftar and Maghrib prayer timings.
Ramadan has already begun today in Saudi Arabia and most Gulf countries, and the month is likely to be observed in Jammu and Kashmir from the following day, subject to local moon-sighting confirmation.
Addressing the issue frequently witnessed during Ramadan evenings, Mufti Nazir said that disagreements often arise when some worshippers break their fast immediately after the Azaan (call for prayers) inside mosques, while others arriving from their homes are left waiting for the Maghrib congregation to commence. Such situations, he said, create avoidable inconvenience and disrupt the decorum of places of worship.
Citing the practice followed in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, he said a brief pause is observed after the Azaan to allow worshippers to break their fast calmly before offering Maghrib prayers in congregation.
To ensure uniformity and harmony, he proposed that mosques maintain a minimum 10-minute interval between the Azaan and the commencement of Maghrib prayers. This, he said, would provide sufficient time for those coming from their homes to join the congregation without confusion or delay.
Alternatively, he suggested that mosque management committees arrange collective Iftar within mosque premises so that all worshippers break their fast together, thereby eliminating misunderstandings and fostering unity.
Mufti Nazir, known for his scholarly acumen within and outside Valley, emphasized that a clear and consistent practice across mosques would help maintain order, uphold the sanctity of Ramadan, and prevent unnecessary disputes during the sacred month.
