J-K’s Muslim clerks reject Waqf Amendment Bill, demand its withdrawal

SRINAGAR — The Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU) Jammu & Kashmir and Muslim Personal Law Board convened an extraordinary meeting to discuss the controversial Waqf Amendment Bill 2024.

The gathering, chaired by Grand Mufti Nasir Islam Faruqi, brought together prominent scholars who unanimously rejected the bill, calling for its immediate withdrawal.

The council expressed strong opposition to the government’s attempts to legalize the bill, emphasizing that Waqf properties are owned by Allah Almighty and are an integral part of Islamic beliefs. They argued that any governmental interference undermines the fundamental concept of Waqf, making such efforts unacceptable to Muslims.

The MMU has already submitted a detailed letter to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), outlining their concerns and labeling the bill as anti-Muslim. They have offered to present their position directly to the JPC, if necessary.

The meeting also condemned the repeated house arrest of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, calling for his immediate release. The council appealed to Imams and religious scholars to support their resolution during Friday prayers, promoting unity amidst ongoing challenges in Kashmir.