New Delhi, A consultative meeting convened by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind here unanimously termed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill as "unconstitutional" and asserted that the proposed legislation is a "direct threat" to Waqf properties.
Participants in the meeting agreed to form alliances with like-minded political parties, including allies of the BJP, JDU and TDP, to amplify their opposition to the bill.
The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 8 and was referred to a joint committee of Parliament after a heated debate. The government claimed the proposed law was not intended to interfere with the operation of mosques and the opposition called it a target against Muslims. and an attack on the Constitution.
A statement issued by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind said that an urgent consultative meeting organized by the Muslim body's president Maulana Mahmood Madani brought together leaders of national organisations, political figures, social activists and legal experts to examine the bill, evaluate its implications and outline strategies to counter the political and social challenges it poses.
Madani expressed grave concern over the "deliberate spread of misinformation and communal hatred" targeting Waqf properties.
He highlighted the urgent need for unified efforts on all political, social and legal fronts to safeguard these properties.
The participants unanimously termed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill as "unconstitutional" and rejected it in its entirety, the Jamiat statement said.
They collectively recognized the bill as a "direct threat" to Waqf properties, which have religious and historical significance for Muslims.
"Any legislation that undermines the status of Waqf properties or interferes with the religious affairs of the Muslim community was unequivocally rejected. The meeting further highlighted the importance of combating false narratives surrounding the Waqf through well-coordinated efforts," it says. the statement.
Major public meetings will be organized in Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Delhi to create widespread awareness, he added.
At the same time, extensive multimedia campaigns, including videos, written materials and social media initiatives, will be launched to debunk misinformation being spread about Waqf properties, Jamiat said.
In a significant step, outreach efforts will extend beyond the Muslim community to include Sikhs, Dalits and other marginalized groups, fostering a united front against the bill.
Maulana Arshad Madani, who heads a Jamiat faction, emphasized that the Waqf is a purely religious issue rooted in Islamic laws.
He called for a political and public movement to challenge the bill, which he called "detrimental to Muslim interests."
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind chief Syed Sadatullah Hussaini stressed the need to dispel media-driven misconceptions and urged a comparative study of donation laws governing other religious communities.
Kamal Faruqui, member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, advocated a nationwide campaign to create public awareness on the issue.
S Y Quraishi, former chief election commissioner of India, highlighted the need to involve political parties and non-Muslim allies, especially the Sikh community, in the fight against the bill.
Afzal Amanullah, a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, debunked the government's misleading claim that the bill gives women the right to join Waqf boards, pointing out that such provisions already exist.
Mahmood Akhtar, former Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, highlighted the importance of the Waqf Court.
Furthermore, MP Maulana Mohibullah Nadvi, Member of the Joint Committee of Parliament, Syed Zafar Mahmood, President of the Zakat Foundation of India, Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court, M. R. Shamshad, among others, made enlightening presentations in which they addressed 10 common misconceptions, the statement said.
Participants in the meeting agreed to form alliances with like-minded political parties, including allies of the BJP, JDU and TDP, to amplify their opposition to the bill.
The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 8 and was referred to a joint committee of Parliament after a heated debate. The government claimed the proposed law was not intended to interfere with the operation of mosques and the opposition called it a target against Muslims. and an attack on the Constitution.
A statement issued by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind said that an urgent consultative meeting organized by the Muslim body's president Maulana Mahmood Madani brought together leaders of national organisations, political figures, social activists and legal experts to examine the bill, evaluate its implications and outline strategies to counter the political and social challenges it poses.
Madani expressed grave concern over the "deliberate spread of misinformation and communal hatred" targeting Waqf properties.
He highlighted the urgent need for unified efforts on all political, social and legal fronts to safeguard these properties.
The participants unanimously termed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill as "unconstitutional" and rejected it in its entirety, the Jamiat statement said.
They collectively recognized the bill as a "direct threat" to Waqf properties, which have religious and historical significance for Muslims.
"Any legislation that undermines the status of Waqf properties or interferes with the religious affairs of the Muslim community was unequivocally rejected. The meeting further highlighted the importance of combating false narratives surrounding the Waqf through well-coordinated efforts," it says. the statement.
Major public meetings will be organized in Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Delhi to create widespread awareness, he added.
At the same time, extensive multimedia campaigns, including videos, written materials and social media initiatives, will be launched to debunk misinformation being spread about Waqf properties, Jamiat said.
In a significant step, outreach efforts will extend beyond the Muslim community to include Sikhs, Dalits and other marginalized groups, fostering a united front against the bill.
Maulana Arshad Madani, who heads a Jamiat faction, emphasized that the Waqf is a purely religious issue rooted in Islamic laws.
He called for a political and public movement to challenge the bill, which he called "detrimental to Muslim interests."
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind chief Syed Sadatullah Hussaini stressed the need to dispel media-driven misconceptions and urged a comparative study of donation laws governing other religious communities.
Kamal Faruqui, member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, advocated a nationwide campaign to create public awareness on the issue.
S Y Quraishi, former chief election commissioner of India, highlighted the need to involve political parties and non-Muslim allies, especially the Sikh community, in the fight against the bill.
Afzal Amanullah, a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, debunked the government's misleading claim that the bill gives women the right to join Waqf boards, pointing out that such provisions already exist.
Mahmood Akhtar, former Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, highlighted the importance of the Waqf Court.
Furthermore, MP Maulana Mohibullah Nadvi, Member of the Joint Committee of Parliament, Syed Zafar Mahmood, President of the Zakat Foundation of India, Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court, M. R. Shamshad, among others, made enlightening presentations in which they addressed 10 common misconceptions, the statement said.
