Appointment of imams.

EXTREMISM and intolerance are straining the social fabric of societies. When a state fails to regulate its religious affairs and institutions, it is likely that radical elements within some of these institutions may undermine its authority. Due to the state's loose control on religious institutions, the latter have been used as breeding grounds for extremism.

In Muslim countries, religious misconstruction serves as the foundation of extremism. Whereas in non-Muslim countries, the vacuum created by the absence of religion is filled by Islamophobia. Religious extremism continues to be the common denominator, regardless of the state religion.

Issues related to religion and religious leaders are often seen as sensitive and are swept under the rug. The criterion for the appointment of imams remains a key issue. In Pakistan, the state enjoys little control over the appointment of imams. It is typically subject to local approval. Although in prominent mosques the government appoints imams, prayer leaders of local mosques seldom go through the same vetting process. The absence of a screening process poses a serious challenge.

The menace of extremism can be curbed if mosques and religious leaders are regulated by the government. In Turkiye, the Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) is tasked with the appointment and supervision of imams. Diyanet is entrusted with drafting a weekly sermon which is delivered in mosques across Trkiye. In Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance is in charge of the affairs of mosques and the appointment and supervision of imams.

In Iran, the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance oversees religious affairs, including the selection of imams. The potential imams are assessed based on their religious knowledge and loyalty to the state. The Friday Prayer Council is responsible for the distribution of pamphlets to around 900 Iranian cities weekly. These pamphlets comprise guidelines according to which the imams are to address Friday prayers.

Extremism can be curbed if mosques are regulated.

The National Action Plan was formulated to root out terrorism and extremism. NAP I highlighted the need for regulation of religious seminaries. Point 10 of NAP called for the registration and regulation of religious seminaries. The revised NAP has been divided into two domains: kinetic and non-kinetic. The regulation of madressahs falls under the non-kinetic domain. In Pakistan, as per federal law, all...