SRINAGAR: Addressing a large Friday congregation at Jama Masjid in Srinagar, Mirwaiz Molvi Umar Farooq expressed concern over the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act by the Government of India.
He said that the amendments, which have been in the news for the past few days, have caused great distress among Muslims in India and in the Muslim-majority region of Jammu & Kashmir, where most mosques, shrines, and Khanqahs fall under the Waqf Board.
Mirwaiz said the proposed Bill, introduced in Parliament, seeks to make sweeping changes to how Waqfs are governed and regulated. “Among the controversial provisions is a change in the composition of the Waqf Board, which would allow non-Muslims to become part of the board and even permit a non-Muslim to be appointed as its CEO. He described this as a direct interference in religious matters. He also criticized the proposal that one must be a Muslim for at least five years to Waqf his or her property, calling it absurd.”
Additionally, the Mirwaiz highlighted concerns over the new provision that allows a district collector to decide the final status of Waqf land in case of a dispute—whether it is Waqf property or government land.
He also condemned the proposed removal of the concept of “Waqf by use,” noting that hundreds of Waqf mosques, many centuries old and lacking proper documentation, could be deemed government land under the new rules.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq concluded by saying that the government’s agenda appears to be aimed at disempowering Muslims and using them as a polarizing force for electoral gains. He urged Muslims to remain vigilant against these tactics and to safeguard their interests. He warned that if the government proceeds with these discriminatory laws, they will be resisted by the Muslims of Jammu & Kashmir.
He assured that the issue would be closely monitored and discussed at the next Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) meeting.
