In a letter to Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Altaf Hussain Wani, Chairman  of the Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR) in Islamabad, has raised serious concerns regarding BJP-led Indian government’s Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024.  According to Kashmir Media Service, the Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha (lower house of the Indian parliament) in August, last year. 

Wani emphasized that the Bill threatens the independence of waqf properties, which are essential for funding social services, schools, and mosques, particularly in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). According to the letter, the proposed amendments run the possibility of bureaucratic meddling and erode the security of waqf institutions by shifting important responsibilities from State Waqf Boards to tax officials. 

He further criticized the bill for its contradictory provisions, such as allowing non-Muslims on Waqf Boards while restricting their ability to create or donate to waqfs. The letter also stressed that the Bill could marginalize the Muslim community by reducing their representation in decision-making processes, exacerbating tensions, particularly in IIOJK.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)