Chandra Babu Naidu Pledges Support to All India Muslim Personal Law Board on Waqf Amendment Bill

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Chandra Babu Naidu Pledges Support to All India Muslim Personal Law Board on Waqf Amendment Bill

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ABU DHABI:The recent inauguration of the BAPS temple in Abu Dhabi by Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlights an interesting irony. This grand temple stands in the Muslim-majority UAE, where secularization is on the rise. This event comes shortly after the inauguration of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir in India. While Modi’s government in India blurs the lines between the state and Hindu faith and undermines minority rights, the UAE moves in the opposite direction. The UAE’s secularization, influencing Saudi Arabia as well, is a significant development in the Islamic world. This shift challenges India’s secular values. The UAE has attracted people of various religions and backgrounds to live and work there. Despite Islam being the official religion, the government allows diverse religious practices. Non-Muslims, forming a quarter of the population, have space to worship freely, with many churches, a synagogue, and a gurdwara present. Hindu gatherings and celebrations are also welcomed. The UAE’s tolerance extends beyond religion. Alcohol and pork are available, and Ramadan fasting rules are relaxed. Women have freedom in dress, and discrimination based on religion is rare. These progressive attitudes influence neighboring Saudi Arabia, where Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) is spearheading modernization efforts by reducing Islamic influence and cutting support for radical groups worldwide. This trend towards secularization in the UAE and potentially Saudi Arabia marks a significant shift in the Islamic world. For India, reduced Saudi funding for conservative mosques could lead to a return to moderate religious guidance for Indian Muslims. The UAE’s example challenges the Hindu nationalist dream of a Hindu majoritarian state, often compared to Saudi Arabia’s treatment of non-Muslims. Modi, at the temple inauguration, praised the UAE’s diversity, contrasting India’s fading secularism. As Hindu residents in UAE face this contrast, it prompts reflection on India’s trajectory. The writer, a private equity investor, emphasizes the importance of embracing diversity and secular values in both countries.
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New Delhi: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandra Babu Naidu assured the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) that his party, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), will support the Muslim community’s concerns over the controversial Waqf Amendment Bill 2024. The TDP, an important ally of the ruling NDA, holds 16 MPs in the current Lok Sabha, making their support crucial for passing any bill.

A delegation from the AIMPLB, led by its General Secretary Maulana Fazlur Rahim Majaddidi, met with Naidu in Amravati to express the community’s strong objections to the proposed bill. The delegation presented a detailed memorandum, arguing that the bill, if passed, would weaken the Waqf Act and open the door for the seizure of Waqf properties.

Naidu, in response, reaffirmed his party’s support for the genuine concerns of the Muslim community, stating, “We will review the document you have provided and make every effort to address your concerns.” He acknowledged the instrumental role of TDP MPs in pushing the bill to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further review.

The AIMPLB thanked Naidu for his ongoing support, and the meeting, which included other board members and Muslim leaders from TDP, lasted for over an hour. This visit is part of AIMPLB’s outreach to various political leaders, including the chief ministers of Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Telangana, to garner broader support for the Waqf cause.

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