A high-level consultative meeting, convened by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (M), said safeguarding Waqf is not just a legal issue but also a social, moral, and religious obligation
NEW DELHI – Prominent legal experts, Islamic scholars, intellectuals, and social activists have expressed strong opposition to the Waqf Act 2025, arguing that it will negatively impact the future of endowed properties in India. They stated that it should be opposed at all levels since it flagrantly disregards the constitutional protection accorded to religious minorities.
As part of a high-level consultative meeting here on Tuesday by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (Mahmood Madani faction), they pointed out that safeguarding Waqf is not just a legal issue but also a social, moral, and religious obligation. Legal experts noted that the Act may also erode the current legal protections by undermining the Places of Worship Act, 1991.
In his inaugural speech, Jamiat chief Maulana Mahmood Madani highlighted that his organisation has been instrumental in safeguarding Waqf properties before and after independence. He recalled that the Shariat Application Act of 1937, as well as the Waqf Acts of 1954 and 1995, adopted suggestions put forward by the Jamiat. Nonetheless, he chastised the current dispensation for ignoring the views of social and religious organisations, claiming that the current law draft goes against the goals and spirit of Waqf and should be resisted on both a legal and public level.
Syed Mahmood Akhtar, a former IRS official and Waqf specialist, said the new law’s structure was similar to the Delhi Development Authority’s and did not take Shariah principles into account. M Iqbal A Shaikh, a former member of the Central Waqf Council, cautioned that Sections 40 and 83 essentially aim to deprive Waqf Boards and properties of their legal legitimacy.
The planned delisting of Waqf assets under ASI in Section 3D and the inclusion of a five-year practicing Muslim clause in Section 3 were both deemed to be against Islamic rules by advocate Pirzada Farid Ahmed Nizami, Sajjada Nashin of Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya.
Afzal Muhammad Safavi Farooqi, Naib Sajjada Nashin of Dargah Safipur, pointed out the absence of guidelines for managing shrines and khanqahs, and warned about the lack of awareness in rural areas about waqf law which poses a serious threat.
Syed Muhammad Ali Hussaini, Sajjada Nashin of Dargah Gesu Daraz, Gulbarga Sharif, emphasised the urgent need for documenting all Waqf properties. Senior Supreme Court lawyer Advocate MR Shamshad described the amendment law as deceptive in appearance, stressing that individual property-level legal defence is critical.
Advocate Rauf Rahim emphasised the need for unity, stating that collective efforts are necessary to effectively counter the Act, and appreciated the community awareness being generated around the issue.
Advocate Mohammad Tahir Hakim from Gujarat expressed concern over the provisions that allow for the potential termination of Waqf status, while retired IFS officer MJ Akbar warned that the Act appears to promote a trust-like model, undermining the traditional Waqf system.
Offering concrete suggestions, Maulana Siddiqueullah Chowdhury, President of Jamiat Ulama West Bengal, proposed forming a legal assistance team with published contact details to help the public in safeguarding Waqf properties.
Mohammad Haroon, President of Jamiat Ulama Madhya Pradesh, suggested organising awareness programmes in 100 cities, while Hafiz Nadeem Siddiqui, President of Jamiat Ulama Maharashtra, recommended the creation of youth teams for property record verification, especially at the block level.
Prof Nisar Ansari, General Secretary of Jamiat Ulama Gujarat, called for the establishment of state-level subcommittees to accelerate documentation. Hafiz Peer Khaliq Sabir, General Secretary Jamiat Ulama Telangana, noted that only 23,000 acres out of 50,000+ acres of waqf properties remain in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh due to lack of awareness.
The president of Jamiat Ulama Surat, Maulana Arshad Mir, called for the start of a widespread awareness campaign to safeguard Waqf. Saif Ali Naqvi, an educationist, proposed using modern media and YouTubers to correct misconceptions about Waqf.
Jamiat’s legal affairs chief, Maulana Niaz Ahmed Farooqui, gave a thorough examination of the proposed law’s legal shortcomings.
