KIIR Urges OIC to Intervene on Waqf Amendment Bill Threatening Muslim Autonomy
Kashmir Institute Calls on OIC to Safeguard Religious Rights and Autonomy of Muslim Community's Waqf Properties
Islamabad: The Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR) has issued an urgent appeal to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), raising serious concerns about the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, introduced by India’s Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, in the Lok Sabha. The Bill, which has sparked controversy, is viewed as a significant threat to the management and autonomy of waqf properties that are vital to the Muslim community, particularly in sensitive regions like Kashmir.
In his letter, Altaf Hussain Wani, Chairman of KIIR, outlined the Bill’s potential consequences for the governance of waqf institutions, which are essential for maintaining mosques, schools, and social services for the Muslim population. The proposed amendment is seen as weakening waqf administration by transferring key responsibilities, such as determining waqf property, removing encroachments, and registering waqf lands, from State Waqf Boards to revenue officials who may not possess the required expertise or commitment to preserving waqf assets.
Wani expressed concern over the impact of these changes, which could lead to bureaucratic interference in waqf governance and undermine the autonomy of waqf institutions. He also criticized the renaming of the Act, which he believes dilutes its historical significance, and the contradictory stance on non-Muslim involvement in waqf management. The Bill allows non-Muslims to serve on Waqf Boards but restricts them from creating or donating to waqfs, creating inconsistencies in governance.
Furthermore, Wani raised alarm over the impractical timeline for the digitization of waqf records mandated by the Bill. Section 3(B)(1) of the amendment calls for the completion of digitization within six months, but Wani pointed out that, as of 2024, only 42% of waqf records have been digitized. With tens of thousands of properties under encroachment, this deadline is deemed unrealistic and could lead to the loss of legitimate waqf claims.
The letter also highlighted discrepancies in the way waqf properties are treated compared to Hindu religious institutions. Wani noted that Hindu religious institutions in certain regions hold significantly larger amounts of land, yet the Bill weakens protections for waqf institutions by removing sections that provide special legal status to waqfs and impose limitations on claims after specific periods.
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Wani expressed concerns that the alterations to the Waqf Board’s composition could reduce Muslim representation in key decision-making processes, undermining the community’s ability to safeguard its religious and cultural assets. He warned that such exclusions could worsen communal tensions, especially in regions like Kashmir where religious identity is closely tied to political dynamics.
The KIIR urged the OIC to take immediate action to protect religious freedoms and communal harmony, emphasizing the importance of engaging Muslim leaders in discussions surrounding the Bill. Wani stressed that safeguarding waqf governance is not only crucial for preserving the autonomy of Muslim institutions but also for fostering stability and trust in regions marked by historical conflicts.
The appeal calls on the OIC to advocate for the preservation of the Muslim community’s rights in the face of changes to the governance of waqf properties, highlighting the importance of religious autonomy in ensuring peaceful coexistence in India’s diverse socio-political landscape.
The Waqf Amendment Bill remains a contentious issue, with critics arguing that it could disrupt the historical autonomy of waqf institutions and exacerbate religious divisions in the region.
