The All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board has publicly supported the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which Parliament passed earlier this week. The board has urged the central government to bring more transparency in the functioning of Waqf boards and ensure that Muslim women receive their rightful share in Waqf-related benefits.

Shaista Amber Commends the Government’s Step

Shaista Amber, who leads the women’s board, praised the present government for introducing the bill. She pointed out that previous governments and religious leaders should have taken such steps earlier.
She said, “Positive work should be done. Those who donate to the Waqf, their intention is that their donation will be used for the poor… But it was not happening.” She stressed that while not all Waqf land was misused, the board had failed to act with honesty and responsibility in many cases.

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Appeal for Transparent Use of Waqf Land

Shaista demanded that Waqf land should benefit the poor as originally intended. She stated, “We expect and request from the government that if the bill has come, the Waqf lands be used for the poor section with full transparency.”
She accused past governments of neglecting the Muslim community. “None of the governments to date worked for the Muslims; they just did the politics for votes,” she said.

Calls to Free Encroached Properties

Shaista also asked the government to take firm steps to remove illegal encroachments from Waqf land. She urged the BJP-led government to uphold women’s rights and ensure that the board functions openly and honestly.
She questioned why no political party took action until now. “What other parties did till now, were they asleep?” she asked strongly. She called for an investigation into land encroachments and punishment for those responsible.

Suggestion to Help Divorced Muslim Women

Highlighting women’s issues, she suggested using Waqf land to build houses for divorced Muslim women. She said this would be a meaningful way to use the property for social welfare and empower women in need.

This was not the first time Shaista raised the issue. In August 2017, she had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demanded that Waqf properties be