Waqf (Amendment) Bill: Muslim Community Leaders express support; urge to trust govt's intentions

New Delhi [India], September 13 : Amid the ongoing row over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, a group of Muslim Social Workers and Islamic Scholars during the meeting in Delhi expressed their support to the government, emphasising that doubting the government's intentions is not appropriate.
Talking to ANI, Islamic Scholar Mufti Wajahat Qasmi said that the meeting was called to remove the confusion created by some political parties against the government, saying that the land of Muslims will be snatched away.
"The meeting was called regarding the amendment of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. We called the meeting to remove the confusion created by some political parties against the government, saying that the land of Muslims will be snatched away. The meeting was conducted peacefully. We are standing with the government and we should not doubt the intentions of the government. The government is thinking for the needy and poor Muslims. With this bill, Waqf will flourish, Muslims will flourish and so will the country," he said.
While addressing the meeting, Qasmi also urged the people to read the bill and then present their views in front of the JPC.
"Everyone has their opinions and it can be different. There's no issue. But we should distance ourselves from useless slogans and protests. In the last 10 years, we have protested against the government all the bills introduced by the government without reading them. I just want to say that you must read the bill and present your views in front of JPC. Read the bill, and share your views," he said.
"The government doesn't need to be always against us. Waqf's property is Muslim's property. In the last 70 years, none of the people other than Muslims has become the chairman of the Waqf board; then who has captured it? It's not correct to say that the government is always wrong. First, read the bill. It is not correct to say that whatever the government is doing is always wrong," Qasmi added.
Another Social activist Mohammad Tahir Ismail told ANI that everyone should express their grievances to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) and should doubt the government's intentions.
"I think that with this bill, people who are being benefitted by illegally occupying the land of the Waqf Board will be stopped. Everyone should express their grievances to the JPC and should doubt the government's intentions," he said.
While addressing the meeting, Ismail said that the actual needy and poor Muslims are not benefiting from the Waqf land.
"Encroachers have captured the land of Waqf. The needy Muslims are not benefiting from the land. The land of Waqf is being misused. We want transparency in Waqf and its misuse for personal benefit should be stopped. The actual needy Muslims on the ground level should benefit from Waqf," he said.
"We also urge the protesters to talk to the JPC instead of protesting. Do not doubt on the intentions of the government. The government also wants the Waqf land to benefit the Muslims. And instead of just a few people who are benefiting from the Waqf, everyone should be taken care of. We must present our views to JPC. Some people who are protesting, I request them not to misguide the needy and poor Muslims. Present your views properly in front of the government. The government has brought the amendment for the betterment of needy and poor Muslims. The government is in favour of the Muslims," Ismail added.
Meanwhile, a meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, will be held on September 18, 19 and 20 at the Parliament House Annexe in the capital city of New Delhi, said an official statement from Lok Sabha Secretariat.
During the meeting on September 18, representatives from the Ministry of Minority Affairs will record oral evidence before the committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, while, on September 19, the committee will hear the views or suggestions of some experts and stakeholders, such as Prof Faizan Mustafa, Vice Chancellor, Chanakya National Law University, Patna; Pasmanda Muslim Mahaaz and All Indian Muslim Personal Law Board, on the bill.
The Joint Parliamentary Committee on September 20 will hear the suggestions of All India Sajjadanashin Council, Ajmer, Muslim Rashtriya Manch, Delhi and Bharat First, Delhi, on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024.