On November 9, 2024, the Shariah Protection Committee for Women held an important Intellectual Meet at Federation House in Hyderabad to discuss the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 and why it should be opposed. The meeting aimed to raise awareness about the potential harm of the bill to the Muslim community.
Talha Jabeen, the Convener of the Shariah Protection Committee, introduced the event and explained the significance of the bill. She mentioned that the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 was introduced in Parliament on August 7, 2024, and was met with strong opposition from the Muslim community and several opposition parties. A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) was formed to gather public opinion before submitting its report to the government by the end of November. She said that the bill poses several risks to the Muslim community, especially women’s rights.
Dr. Asma Zehra, President of the Shariah Committee, criticized the BJP-led government’s stance on waqf properties. “The BJP and its allies have always been troubled by the sight of Muslim religious structures and waqf properties,” she said.
“Through various false accusations and propaganda, the BJP is trying to create a perception among Indians that Muslims forcibly designated non-Muslim properties as waqf during their rule.”
Shafiq-ul-Zaman, a former IAS officer and a prominent speaker, explained why the Waqf Amendment Bill should be opposed. “This bill is clearly anti-Muslim, it conflicts with constitutional provisions, and its true purpose is to weaken Muslim interests,” he said. He warned that the bill would grant more power to the government over waqf properties, diminishing the role of the Waqf Board.
“The powers of the Waqf Board will be severely weakened, and there is a possibility that non-Muslim members could dominate the board,” he added.
Islamic scholar Nazimuddin Farooqui highlighted the importance of waqf in Islam, explaining its role in charity and community welfare. He also pointed out the potential harm the bill could cause, especially after reports of mosque demolitions in various states. “The bill will lead to complications in managing and protecting waqf properties, and it will affect the welfare of the Muslim community,” he stated.
Dr. Asghar Hussain, a retired UNESCO director, encouraged women to take an active role in educating their children. “Mothers should focus on imparting moral and religious teachings from a young age,” he said. “Teachers should also make students aware of their rights by bringing the Constitution into classrooms.”
The event ended with a question-and-answer session, where attendees raised concerns about the future of waqf properties and the impact of the amendment. Senior Shariah Committee members, including Prof. Rafeequnnisa, Tahniyath Ather, Dr. Sabera Aijaz, and others, were also present at the event.
