NEW DELHI — Speakers at a women’s conference here strongly criticised the Waqf Amendment Act 2025 describing it as a threat to religious freedom. They also demanded its immediate rollback.
The historic conference was organised by All India Muslim Women Association (AIMWA) at the India Islamic Cultural Centre on Thursday.
The event was held under the guardianship of Maulana Ubaidullah Khan Azmi, Vice President of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, and presided over by Mohammed Adeeb, former MP and President of Indian Muslims for Civil Rights (IMCR).
The conference brought together senior parliamentarians, social activists, religious scholars, legal experts, and hundreds of concerned Muslim women who expressed deep concern over the implications of the amendment on Waqf properties and Muslim religious rights.
Dr Asma Zehra, President of AIMWA, emphasised that Waqf is vital for the religious, educational, and social well-being of the Muslim community. “This is not just about land; it’s about our survival and existence in this country,” she said, highlighting that over 40% of Waqf donations come from women.
Mrs Fauzia Khan, Rajya Sabha MP, warned about the dangers posed by applying the Limitation Act to Waqf properties, potentially enabling encroachments. She called for greater inclusion of women in social reform.
Former union minister and Senior Advocate Salman Khurshid said that we should stay hopeful on the waqf issue while continuing grassroots awareness efforts.
Renowned social activist Prof VK Tripathi criticised the amendment for casting doubt on religious institutions, stressing that protection of mosques and waqf properties is not just a Muslim issue but a national concern.
Mrs Mumtaz Patel, daughter of late Congress leader Ahmed Patel, recalled that despite opposition by 232 MPs, the waqf amendment was pushed through, calling on women to rise and defend their constitutional rights.
Maulana Qazi Wasi Ahmed Qasmi, Nayab Qazi of Imarat-e-Shariah (Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand), hailed the success of protests in Patna and emphasised the urgency to intensify the movement against the Act.
Other notable speakers included Mohammed Shafi (VP, SDPI), Mrs Afroze Fatima, Ms Huda Rawal, Mrs Zinath Mahtab, Mrs Mamdooha Majid, and Mrs Umaimah Fahad, all of whom reiterated that Muslim women were deeply committed to safeguarding waqf institutions such as mosques, eidgahs, graveyards, schools, and hospitals.
The conference concluded with a collective resolve to resist the Waqf Amendment Act 2025, raise awareness at the grassroots level, and protect religious rights enshrined in the Constitution. AIMWA announced its plan to organise similar conferences across India.
The event witnessed unprecedented participation by women, reflecting their growing role in community leadership, activism, and advocacy for constitutional and religious rights
