UP Shahi Chief Mufti backs Yogi's namaz-on-roads ban, calls it 'against Islam'
Synopsis
One of Uttar Pradesh's most senior Muslim clerics has backed CM Yogi Adityanath's call to end road-side namaz — on Islamic grounds. With the Allahabad High Court's recent ruling also in the frame, the theological and legal arguments are now pointing in the same direction, complicating the political narrative around the issue.
Key Takeaways
Maulana Chaudhary Ifraheem Husain , Shahi Chief Mufti of Uttar Pradesh , on 19 May declared offering namaz on public roads 'against Islam.' CM Yogi Adityanath had called for large religious gatherings to be held at designated places, in shifts if needed, to avoid public disruption.
The Mufti cited Islamic teaching that prayer must not be offered at disputed or public spaces, including roads used by ambulances and commuters.
A recent Allahabad High Court ruling — dismissing a namaz-on-private-property plea in Sambhal — was also cited as applicable to all religions equally.
Mufti Shamoon Qasmi of the Uttarakhand Madarsa Education Board separately echoed support for the CM's position.
Maulana Chaudhary Ifraheem Husain, the Shahi Chief Mufti of Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday, 19 May publicly endorsed Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's position that offering namaz on public roads must not be permitted — declaring the practice 'against Islam.' The endorsement, coming from one of the state's most senior Muslim religious authorities, adds significant theological weight to what had previously been framed primarily as an administrative directive.
What CM Yogi Said
Addressing an event on Monday, Chief Minister Adityanath stated that large religious gatherings must be held in an organised manner at designated places and, where necessary, conducted in shifts to prevent overcrowding and public disruption. The remarks were widely interpreted as targeting road-side namaz gatherings that have periodically triggered law-and-order concerns in Uttar Pradesh.
The Mufti's Endorsement
'CM Yogi's statement that namaz should not be offered on roads is absolutely correct in terms of Islam,' Husain said. He elaborated that Islamic teaching itself prohibits prayer at disputed or public spaces. 'Roads are meant for commuters. People of all religions commute through them and especially ambulances pass through them. Therefore, one should be careful that namaz is not offered at such places,' he added. He reiterated: 'Muslims should not do it. It's against Islam.'
Allahabad High Court Ruling Cited
Husain also invoked a recent Allahabad High Court judgment which held that the right to practise religion does not extend to converting private premises into an 'unregulated congregational space.' The court had dismissed a plea seeking permission and police protection for regular namaz at an alleged private property in Sambhal district. The Mufti noted that the court's ruling applies to all religions equally, 'without any bias.'
On Comparisons With Other Religious Processions
Responding to arguments that events such as Kanwar Yatra, Holika Dahan, and jagratas also occupy roads, Husain drew a distinction. 'There is a difference between Kanwar Yatra and namaz. The latter is offered while sitting and when one is at peace, while Kanwar Yatra is a procession. Both of them cannot be compared,' he said.
A Second Religious Voice in Support
The Shahi Chief Mufti's remarks follow a similar statement by Mufti Shamoon Qasmi, Chairman of the Uttarakhand Madarsa Education Board, who also backed CM Adityanath's position. Qasmi reportedly argued that those who claim to represent the Muslim community often lack a proper understanding of Islamic teachings. The convergence of two senior Muslim clerics behind the government's stance marks a notable development in a debate that has long been politically charged in Uttar Pradesh. Whether their endorsements shift broader community discourse remains to be seen.
Point of View
Cited as a universal precedent, will face its real test if and when it is applied with equal rigour to non-Muslim gatherings on public land. That consistency, or lack of it, will determine whether this moment is remembered as a genuine civic consensus or a selectively enforced administrative norm.
NationPress
5 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did UP's Shahi Chief Mufti say about namaz on roads?
Maulana Chaudhary Ifraheem Husain, the Shahi Chief Mufti of Uttar Pradesh, said that offering namaz on public roads is 'against Islam,' endorsing CM Yogi Adityanath's stance that such practice should not be permitted. He cited Islamic teaching that prayer must not be conducted at disputed or public spaces.
What did CM Yogi Adityanath say about road-side namaz?
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated that large religious gatherings should be held in an organised manner at designated places, and in shifts if required, to prevent overcrowding and public disruption. His remarks were widely seen as directed at road-side namaz gatherings in Uttar Pradesh.
What is the Allahabad High Court ruling cited in this context?
The Allahabad High Court recently dismissed a plea seeking permission and police protection for regular namaz at an alleged private property in Sambhal district, ruling that the right to practise religion does not extend to converting private premises into an unregulated congregational space. The Shahi Chief Mufti noted this ruling applies to all religions without bias.
How did the Mufti respond to comparisons with Kanwar Yatra and other Hindu observances on roads?
Husain drew a distinction between namaz — offered while sitting and at rest — and Kanwar Yatra, which is a moving procession. He argued the two cannot be compared, though critics have continued to question whether road-occupying events of all religions are treated equally by authorities.
Who else has backed CM Yogi's position on this issue?
Mufti Shamoon Qasmi, Chairman of the Uttarakhand Madarsa Education Board, also expressed support for CM Adityanath's remarks, saying those who claim to represent the Muslim community often lack a proper understanding of Islamic teachings.
