There is an imperative need to look at the current state of the Indian muslims, especially the downtrodden. Muslims, a minority with no semblance of political authority present to stand up for their interests, have been thoroughly suppressed.
Muslims have been unjustly persecuted in India just for holding a varying ideal different from the mainstream.
Well, someone should stand up for us and bring forth justice.
Who should do that? Some Muslim Leader? Some Secular Leader?
Who votes for some muslim leader in India? not even indian muslims;
and why is that?
How much are we as muslims going to rely on secular elements to protect us? Or, when would we as muslims come to the realization that our ideals differ from that of secularists.
If we wish to protect our ideals, then we need to get stronger ourselves. The secular elements dont have skin in the game as we do. They wouldnt risk their “homes”, for our ideals.
Amnesty International’s report on Indian house Demolishment (PDF):
This is not an isolated incident. Taking a page from the moronic Israel’s handbook, the authoritarian elements in India are dead set on making the minority homeless.
Weaponizing JCB’s and Land Grabbing - The recent horror faced by the muslims who live in central and northern parts of India.
The recent squabble over waqf properties is definitely pre-planned with the growing trend of “house demolishment” justice. Since when is demolishing the home of an accused been part of justice?
This has been happening for quite a while,
CNN Report on a Man’s house being demolished for protesting over anti-islam remarks (2022)
Reuters report on a case in Haryana where they demolish a house that they term “illegal” (2023)
Times of India reports on a “concocted panchanama” incident (2024)
Nupur Sharma controversy: Prayagraj demolition breaks a family’s dream (BBC)
Madhya Pradesh: Why an Indian state is demolishing Muslim homes (BBC)
It is estimated that the total value of the used and unused waqf properties run into billions of rupees.
If properly developed with a minimum of 10 percent return, waqf properties will alleviate Muslim poverty. (Sarchar Comittee Report)
However, so far no concerted efforts are there to stop the misuse and alienation of the waqf properties.
According to the Sarchar Committee Report (2006)
Waqf properties if utilized properly is a major super power to the ummatic community in India.
Yet, we are sleeping on it. Many claim Corruption is the cause. But, I say that the current central government wants corruption to be the cause. It made sure that corruption remains as the cause.
As I recall, another very prominent political party representing the interests of the muslims took it upon itself to address this issue a few years back yet was beaten down by the ruling party with false accusations.
Muslims must consciously come together to reform themselves and to stand up for themselves, else we are looking at a gruelling, not liveable India after this decade.
We, need to put forward a compelling argument and counter-measures regarding all the issues plaguing the community.
Most muslims donot even know what a waqf is. Even I myself am guilty of not knowing what a waqf is. So, lets dive into some definitions
According to Wikipedia
A waqf (Arabic: وَقْف; [waqf], plural awqaf أَوْقَاف), also called a ḥabs (حَبْس, plural ḥubūs حُبوس or aḥbās أَحْباس), or mortmain property, is an inalienable charitable endowment under Islamic law. It typically involves donating a building, plot of land or other assets for Muslim religious or charitable purposes with no intention of reclaiming the assets. A waqf allows the state to provide social services in accordance with Islamic law while contributing to the preservation of cultural and historical sites
On Central Wakf Council :
The Central Wakf Council as a Statutory Body was established in December, 1964 by the Government of India under the provision of Section 8A of Wakf Act, 1954 (now read as sub section 1 of the Section 9 of the Wakf Act, 1995) for the purpose of advising it on matters pertaining to working of the State Wakf Boards and proper administration of the Wakfs in the country. The Council consists of Chairperson, who is the Union Minister Incharge of Wakfs and such other members not exceeding 20 in numbers appointed by Government of India as stipulated in the Act. The Secretary is the Chief Executive of the Council. The Council office at present works at Jamnagar House, New Delhi
According to the centralwakfcouncil, a wakf is :
Wakf is a permanent dedication of movable or immovable properties for religious, pious or charitable purposes as recognized by Muslim Law. The Wakf Institutions deal with the religious, social and economic life of Muslims. They are not only supporting Mosques, Dargah etc. But many of them support Schools, Colleges, Hospitals and Musafirkhanas which are meant for social welfare.
and a wakf is managed by
A charitable trust may hold the donated assets. The person making such dedication is known as a waqif (‘donor’) who uses a mutawalli (‘trustee’) to manage the property in exchange for a share of the revenues it generates.
The Central Government is responsible for the implementation of the Wakf Act.
On using wakf assets for the economic and educational development of Minority Muslims:
A. Development of Urban Wakf Properties
With a view to protect vacant Wakf land from encroachers and to develop it on commercial lines for generating more income in an order to widen welfare activities, Central Wakf Council has been implementing this scheme since 1974-75 with yearly grant-in-aid from the Central Government. Under the Scheme, loan is extended to various Wakf Institutions in the Country for taking up economically viable buildings on the Wakf land such as commercial complex, marriage halls, hospitals, cold storage etc. For this, the Central Government has released a total grant-in-aid amounting to Rs. 34 crores 66.66 lakhs only between September 1974 to March, 2010, and in turn the Central Wakf Council has extended loan to 137 projects approved by the Council as well as by the Government of India. Out of these 137 projects 75 projects have been completed in all respect and are yielding income. The loan amount is repaid to the Council by the loanee institutions in easy instalments and the amount thus received back forms a Revolving Fund, which is again utilized for giving loans up to Rs. 20 lakhs to the Minor Development Projects on Wakf properties. From this Fund, the Council had released a sum of Rs. 4 crores 96.89 lakhs to 90 projects up to 31.3.2010 out of which 68 projects have been completed. Therefore, with the total grant-in-aid of Rs.34 crores 66.66 lakhs received by the Council, it has been able to get 143 projects completed and the work on the remaining sites is in progress. This has received appreciation of all sections of the society describing it a magic of management. The grant-in-aid received by The Central Wakf Council is forwarded to the loanee Wakf in the form of interest free loans for the Development of Urban Wakf Properties while the Council bears the entire expenditure on the staff working in the Scheme as well as other expenses on paper, postage etc. Against this service rendered by the Council, it puts two conditions on the loanee Wakf institutions i.e. (i) they would pay 4% donation on the outstanding loan to the Education Fund for the Educational Scheme of the Council meant for educational upliftment of the poor Muslims; (ii) after the repayment of the loan, they would spend 40% of their enhanced income on the education of the Muslims particularly on the technical educations.
B. Educational Scheme
The 6% donation received from loanee Wakfs on the outstanding, as well as the interest accrued on the Bank deposits of the Revolving Fund, form the Education Fund of the Council. This Fund is utilised for implementing the following programmes; i. Matching Grant to the State Wakf Boards for providing scholarship in their respective States to the Higher Secondary, Madarsa students and to the students undergoing Technical/Professional Diploma Courses; ii. Grant for the establishment of I.T.Is. in the Muslim concentrated areas; iii. Financial assistance to Voluntary Organizations for Vocational Training Centres; iv. Financial assistance to Libraries for developing Book Bank; and v. Ad-hoc grant/emergency grant for admission in professional courses and fee for coaching of competitive exams to the poor and needy students. Till 2007-2008, the Central Wakf Council had programme of scholarship for the student of Technical/Professional degree courses. Similarly, it was giving Ad-hoc grant to the students of general degree courses. Thus, up to March 31, 2008, a total of 12,952 scholarships were issued by the Council to the students of Technical Degree courses like MBBS, BUMS, BAMS, B.Tech and B.Sc. (Ag) etc. Similarly, in 6366 cases “Ad-hoc” grant were given to Poor and Needy Students of general degree courses. The Scholarship/Ad-hoc grant scheme of the Council has been discontinued, owing to the implementation of the similar scheme of Ministry of Minority Affairs Government of India. Now for all type of scholarship, please visit the website of the Ministry of Minority Affairs:
Up to March 31, 2010, under the programme of vocational training, 628 Voluntary Organisations/ Technical Institutes have been assisted. Similarly, under the scheme for setting up I.T.Is., the Central Wakf Council has approved twenty I.T.Is. in the Muslim concentrated areas.
Hindustan times piece on the WAKF amendment bill 2024
In short, the bill aims to restrict the power of Waqf boards to manage its properties and provides for more government regulation.
The bill proposes to make registration with the District Collector’s Office mandatory for any Waqf property, so that the property can be evaluated.
It also states that “any government property identified or declared as Waqf property, before or after the commencement of this Act, shall not be deemed to be a waqf property”. The district collector will be the arbiter to decide whether a property is waqf property or government land and the decision shall be final.
Once decided, the collector can make necessary changes to the revenue record and submit a report to the state government. The bill also states that such property shall not be treated as Waqf property till the collector submits his report to the state govt.
So, existing and future islamic religious land are under scrutiny by the district collector office who is an agent of the blatantly anti-islamic government.
If the current trajectory continues, the Indian Ummatic Community will find themselves in a really bad place for the coming decade where we would be in a much much worse place than today. Yet, none take heed.
Will we only realize after the deed is done? that no number of excuses will change our downward spiraling fate unless we as a community step up?