Non-Muslim members on WAQF Board of Directors are similar to their reservation: Hyderabad MPs

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen President Asaduddin Owaisi held a protest meeting in Darussalam, Hyderabad on Saturday. |Photo source: Nagara Gopal

Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi said that under WAQF legislation revised by the Union Government, non-Muslim members nominated statements on the WAQF board, similar to providing reservations for the Hindu community.

Mr. Ovassi is working with Hindu The meeting was organized by the All-India Muslim Private Law Commission (AIMPLB) to oppose the new WAQF legislation after a massive public protest meeting in Darussalam on Saturday night.

“It’s like making reservations for the Hindu community on the WAQF board,” Owasi said, adding: “In addition, what are their qualifications? There are no regulations. It seems that all qualifications should be Muslim members of the WAQF board.”

Mr Owaisi is the president of Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, who refers to Article 14 of the revised bill, which involves the composition of the National WAQF Board. The amendment stipulates that Muslim members are “outstanding scholars” in Islamic theology, two members are professionals with experience in business management, social work, finance or income, agriculture and development activities, and members of the National Lawyer Committee.

“How is all qualifications for Muslims?” Mr. Ovassi tried to get to know.

Mr Owaisi said on other issues that the chairman of the State WAQF Board of Directors could become non-Muslim in view of the situation and the amendment.

“They not only force the inclusion of non-Muslims, but they can even use most non-Muslims as members of the WAQF board. In addition, the chairman of the board may be non-Muslims. [freedom to establish and administer religious and charitable institutions, and also manage own affairs in religious matters]”Mr. Ovassi told Hindu.

Hyderabad MP also pointed out that in light of the omission of relevant parts, in some cases, the latter would prevail in the event of a conflict between the WAQF law and any other legislation.

“How do you protect WAQF property by doing this? In addition, the evacuation property is no longer a WAQF, the government is the custodian. The six-month period is also the six months of filing documents on the portal, which is arbitrary because a person who wishes to donate to WAQF is stipulated to prove that he or she is a five-year Muslim who he said was a five-year Muslim.