Bangalore: Dr. K Rehman Khan, former Rajya Sabha member and Union Minister, emphasized the need to launch an awareness campaign to safeguard Waqf properties and educate the Muslim community about their responsibilities as custodians of this divine trust. Speaking at an event organized by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind at Sir Ismail Mosque, Frazer Town, he highlighted the potential dangers posed by the Union Government’s proposed Waqf Amendment Bill.
Khan stressed that the government’s removal of the word “waqf” from the bill’s title was a deliberate attempt to undermine the institution, warning that future generations could face dire consequences if Muslims fail to act now. He explained the historical background of the Waqf Act, tracing its evolution from the 1954 legislation, through the 1995 Act, and detailing his own role as the head of a Joint Parliamentary Committee that investigated Waqf-related issues in 2008.
Khan further warned of the dangers of the new bill, which advocates for smaller, government-nominated Waqf boards based on sectarian divisions. He expressed concerns that this would fragment the Muslim community and weaken its control over Waqf assets.
Supporting these views, Moulana Maqsood Imran Rashadi, Imam of City Jamia Masjid, noted that in Karnataka alone, only 23,000 acres of the 100,000 acres of Waqf land are currently under the Waqf Board’s control. He lamented the poor financial returns from Waqf holdings, calling for better management and oversight.
Dr. Belgami Md. Saad, President of JIH State, echoed the sentiment, describing the Waqf Amendment Bill as an unnecessary imposition on the Muslim community and an attempt to sow discord. He emphasized the need for continued education on the significance of Waqf properties and the community’s responsibility to protect them.
This gathering underscored the urgency of uniting the Muslim community to preserve its Waqf assets and resist any efforts to dilute their importance through legislative changes.
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