Amendment Needed, Non-Muslim Appointments Opposed: Jamaat

Giving a mixed reaction to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, National President of All India Muslim Jamaat, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi said on Thursday that an amendment is necessary but the appointment of non-Muslims in the Board is against the Shariat and the law.

“Waqf should be looked at from a completely Islamic point of view. Waqf board was formed to maintain the land given by the elders. In the new era, the property of the Waqf has increased by many times. An amendment is necessary. Waqf Board chairman, members, and officials were buying and selling land with the help of land mafias. Waqf board diverted from its purpose and got involved in collecting money. We support the amendment but we are against the appointment of non-Muslim members in it. We are against the appointment of a district officer,” he said.

“Appointment of non-Muslims is against the Shariat and the law. Giving the authority to the DM is also wrong. These points must be removed from the amendment,” he added further.
Earlier, Congress MLA from Bhopal Arif Masood opposed the Waqf Board Amendment Bill, 2024, saying that Waqf properties are private properties and do not belong to any individual.

Launching scathing attacks on the Centre over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, AIMIM Chief and Hyderabad MP, Asaduddin Owaisi said that there are a lot of dangerous sections and it is not legislation but something to bulldoze Waqf and finish Muslims.
Meanwhile, targeting the Opposition over “misleading Muslims” on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju said on Tuesday that Muslim delegations approached him alleging mafia has taken over Waqf Boards and there is a need for amendments.

He also asserted that the government has held multi-layered country-wide consultations on this bill.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Waqf Act provides for the renaming of the Waqf Act, 1995, as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995.

It seeks to clearly define “waqf” as waqf by any person practising Islam for at least five years and having ownership of such property and ensure that the creation of Waqf-alal-aulad does not lead to the denial of inheritance rights to women.