Kashmiri Religious Bodies Reject Waqf Amendment Bill 2024

In Indian-illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU) and the Muslim Personal Law Board (MPLB) have voiced strong opposition to the Indian government’s Waqf Amendment Bill 2024.

During a special meeting in Srinagar, chaired by Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam, both organizations unanimously condemned the bill. The gathering was focused on discussing the bill’s implications and its potential effects on the Kashmiri Muslim community.

The meeting also addressed broader issues facing the community, including inter-sectarian unity and the house arrest of senior APHC leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. The resolution passed at the meeting firmly rejected the bill, labeling it anti-Islamic and harmful to Waqf principles.

The resolution argues that the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 undermines the Islamic concept of Waqf, which is closely tied to divine law and Muslim Personal Law. The participants stressed that Waqf properties are considered sacred and should not be subjected to government control.

The MMU has formally expressed its objections to the Indian government, denouncing the bill as anti-Muslim and calling for its immediate withdrawal. The meeting urged religious leaders and scholars across Jammu and Kashmir to support the resolution and raise awareness during Friday prayers.

This strong stance reflects the deep concerns within the Muslim community about potential governmental interference in religious matters. The proposed bill is seen as a threat to Islamic practices and the management of religious properties.