Jurisdiction, powers of Muslim personal law being ignored in Waqaf Amendment Bill: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq
He stated that the issue is not only legal but also religious, as Muslim personal law has its own jurisdiction and powers, which are being ignored in the new provisions.
Seaking to KNS in an exclusive conversation, Mirwaiz stated that Muslim institutions are systematically being weakened.
He noted that scholars from Jammu, Kashmir, Kargil, and Leh have unanimously opposed the amendments, asserting that they go against the interests of Muslims. “We have submitted our memorandums, but it appears that they have not been considered,” he said.
He pointed out that the major issue is related to Waqf-e-Uzer, where properties used by the Muslim community for years could be at risk due to the removal of legal provisions safeguarding them. Another critical concern is the authority granted to collectors to decide whether a particular piece of land belongs to Waqf or the government, which Mirwaiz described as a serious challenge for the community.