Muslims and all justice-loving people should oppose the Waqf Bill: AIMPLB

New Delhi: August 31, 2024 (Press Release) An online emergency meeting of all members of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board was held last night, which was presided over by the President of the Board, Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, and conducted by Maulana Muhammad Fazl-ur-Rahim Mujaddidi, General Secretary.

Several important decisions were made in the meeting. The members welcomed the decision of the Joint Parliamentary Committee to allow all stockholders to present their views before the committee on the Waqf Bill. However, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board demands that the JPC seek opinions and advice only from Muslims, as this issue pertains specifically to Muslims. The Board will make efforts to ensure that as many Muslims as possible send responses to the Joint Parliamentary Committee via email or by post, stating that nearly all amendments to the Waqf Act 1995 proposed by the Waqf Amendment Bill weaken the Waqf Act 1995 and pave the way for the enchroachment and occupation of Waqf properties. Therefore, we completely reject it and demand that the government withdraw it immediately.

The Board appeals to all religious and community organizations, institutions, and responsible individuals associated with all schools of thought and sects to complete this task before September 12, 2024.

Written memorandum/advice can be sent in English or Hindi with two copies to the Joint Secretary (J.M), Lok Sabha Secretariat, Room Number 440, Sansad Bhawan, New Delhi-110001, Phone Numbers: 23034440 / 23035284, Fax Number: 23017709, or emailed within 15 days from the date of this announcement to jpcwaqf-lss@sansad.nic.in

It was decided that the Board will organize conferences and protest meetings in all major cities of the country on the issue of Waqf, where discussions will be held on the Shari'ah status, importance, and necessity of Waqf, as well as the threats and protective measures.

It was decided that a delegation of responsible members of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board will meet with the Chairman and members of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to present the Muslim stance on the bill both in writing and verbally. The delegation will meet with leaders of parties in the NDA, specifically Chandrababu Naidu, Nitish Kumar, Chirag Paswan, and Jayant Chaudhary. Meetings with opposition party leaders will also be arranged. It was also decided to seek the appointment with the Prime Minister and the Home Minister  to communicate our response on the amendment bill.

Over a hundred members participated in the online emergency meeting, including notable Board secretaries such as Maulana Syed Bilal Abdul Hai Hassani Nadwi, Maulana Muhammad Umrain Mahfooz Rahmani, Maulana Ahmad Wali Faisal Rahmani, Maulana Dr. Yaseen Ali Usmani, spokesperson Dr. S. Q. R.  Ilyas, deputy spokesperson Kamal Faruqi, and Women's Wing convener Advocate Jaleesa Sultana Yaseen, Mrs. Dr. Asma Zohra, Mrs. Atiya Siddiqua, Mrs. Prof. Moonesa Bushra, Mrs. Noor Jahan Shakeel along with important figures such as former Union Minister Mr. K. Rahman Khan, former MP Maulana Ubaidullah Khan Azmi, Mr. Asaduddin Owaisi, MP, Mufti Abul Qasim Naumani, Maulana Anisur Rahman Qasmi, senior advocates Mr. Yusuf Hatim Muchhala and Mr. M.R. Shamshad, Advocate Fuzail Ahmad Ayyubi, Ml. Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahli, Ml.  Khalilur Rahman Sajjad Nomani, Ml. Atiq Ahmad Bastawi, Ml. Muhammad Sufyan Qasmi, Mufti Ahmad Devlawi, Mr. Arif Masood, Ml  Abutalib Rahmani, Dr. Zahir I. Qazi, Ali Akbar Nizamuddin, Dr. Mateen Qadri, Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad, Ml  Ruhul Haq Rashadi, Ml Abdul Aleem Bhatkali, Mufti Muhammad Sanaul Haque Qasmi, Ml Muhammad Yusuf Ali and Ml Mahmud Daryabadi.