Unsolicited: Govt recommends transferring prayer leaders

Complaints indicate some collect money on the pretext of repair of mosques.

PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has recommended the Auqaf department to transfer prayer leaders in government-controlled mosques involved in collection of money under the pretext of repair and maintenance at mosques.

According to sources in the K-P Auqaf department, citizens had complained prayer leaders in mosques under the auspices of the department were collecting money from worshippers during Friday congregations. The areas from where the complaints were received included Khyber Bazaar, GT Road and University Road.

On the basis of complaints received by the chief secretary’s office, chief minister and the department, the K-P government directed the Auqaf department to conduct an enquiry into the matter.

However, some of the department employees reportedly submitted a false report over which the relevant authorities recommended the transfer of such employees along with prayer leaders to other areas of the province.

The K-P Auqaf department controls a total 80 mosques across the province, of which 43 are in the provincial capital.

Hina Saeed, a section officer at the Auqaf department, refuted the reports saying she is not aware of any such developments. “We have funds for the repair and maintenance of mosques and we keep an eye on prayer leaders,” she told The Express Tribune.

When contacted, K-P Minister for Religious Affairs Habibur Rahman admitted the department has received a number of complaints from the public in this regard.

When asked to identify the mosques and prayer leaders, Habibur Rahman said he was busy in a meeting with K-P lawmakers over the Senate elections. His phone was later switched off.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2015.