Muslim institutions and leaders in Ahmedabad recently convened at a meeting where they collectively expressed their opposition to the Waqf Amendment Bill, asserting that it is a matter of religious significance for the Muslim community. The gathering took place at Jama Masjid in Ahmedabad, with various organizations including Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, along with individual attendees present to deliberate on the recommendations to be put forth to the Joint Parliamentary Committee on September 13 concerning the bill.
One prominent figure at the meeting, Mufti Shabbir Ahmed Siddiqui, the Imam of the Shahi Jama Masjid Mosque, emphasized the sanctity of Waqf properties in accordance with Islamic principles, stating that these properties are solely dedicated to Allah and cannot be altered. Siddiqui highlighted that any possible alterations to Waqf lands go against Islamic beliefs, stressing that the issue at hand is a religious one for Muslims and therefore should not be subject to changes. He further mentioned the instances where Waqf lands have been subject to unauthorized sales or occupation and indicated that while they would support measures to prevent such occurrences, any provisions in the bill allowing modifications to Waqf properties would be rejected by the community.
The Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, has been a topic of discussion in Joint Parliamentary Committee meetings, with stakeholders like the Archaeological Survey of India, the Zakat Foundation of India, and the Telangana Waqf Board presenting their perspectives during the sessions. The Archaeological Survey of India provided detailed insights during a recent meeting, highlighting the challenges faced in relation to Waqf properties in protected monuments and sites and advocating for the necessity of the Waqf Board Amendment Bill. Opposition parties have also voiced their dissent against the bill during the JPC gatherings, leading to contentious debates and disagreements. The Waqf Act 1995 grants the Waqf Board the authority to designate any property or building as Waqf property for charitable purposes, a power that has triggered disputes with the rights conferred under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958.