Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has accused the fugitive Islamic preacher Zakir Naik of attempting to mislead Indian Muslims and disseminate “false propaganda” regarding the government’s Waqf Amendment Bill. Naik, who is wanted fugitive in India for money laundering and hate speech and has been living abroad since 2016, claimed the proposed legislation would have “detrimental effects.” He urged Muslims to protest the Bill by submitting their objections to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) by 13 September 2024, using a QR code and online petition.
Fugitive Zakir Naik via his official X account stated that, “Save Indian Waqf Properties, Reject The Waqf Amendment Bill! Let’s stand together to defend the sanctity of Waqf and ensure its preservation for future generations. Abu Bakr narrated that he heard the messenger of Allah (pbuh) say, “If people see some evil but do not change it, soon Allah will send His punishment upon them all” – Sunan Ibn Maajah Vol 5, Hadeeth No. 4005. This is an urgent call to the Muslims in India to stop this evil which breaches the sacred status of waqf, and has evil repercussions on the future of Islaamic institutions. We will bear Allah’s wrath and the curse of subsequent generations, if we allow this bill to pass.”
“Stop the evil or bear its liabilities in this life and in the Hereafter! Say no to the Waqf Amendment Bill! At least 5 million Muslims of India should send their rejection of the Waqf Amendment Bill. As Muslims of India, we will be held accountable if we do not prevent the Muslim Waqf properties from being taken away from the Ummah. Send your Rejection by Scanning this QR Code. You can send your rejection to Waqf Bill to Joint Parliamentary Committee. https: waqfbill2024.com Due Date: 13th Sept 2024″, he wrote.
Save Indian Waqf Properties, Reject The Waqf Amendment Bill!
Let’s stand together to defend the sanctity of Waqf and ensure its preservation for future generations.
Abu Bakr narrated that he heard the messenger of Allah (pbuh) say, “If people see some evil but do not change it,… pic.twitter.com/D5wGui7rl9
— Dr Zakir Naik (@drzakiranaik) September 8, 2024
In response to Zakir Naik’s misleading and provocative statements, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said, “Please do not mislead the innocent Muslims from outside our country. India is a democratic country and people have the right to their own opinion. False propaganda will lead to wrong narratives.”
Please do not mislead the innocent Muslims from outside our country. India is a democratic country and people have the right to their own opinion. False propaganda will lead to wrong narratives. https://t.co/3W3YwtyJjI pic.twitter.com/LwV9Jh1YTg
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) September 10, 2024
Proposed Changes To Waqf Bill
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 proposes renaming the Waqf Act, 1995, to the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act, 1995. It aims to redefine “waqf” to include only those who have practised Islam for at least five years and hold ownership of the property. The bill also seeks to ensure that the creation of Waqf-alal-aulad does not negate inheritance rights for women.
Key changes include removing provisions related to “waqf by the user,” assigning the role of Survey Commissioner to a Deputy Collector or equivalent officer, broadening the composition of the Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards to include Muslim women and non-Muslims, and establishing a separate Board of Auqaf for Boharas and Aghakhanis.
The bill also proposes to streamline the registration of waqfs via a central portal, clarify the procedures for property mutation according to revenue laws, and reform the Tribunal structure to include two members with appeals to the High Court within ninety days. Additionally, the government plans to withdraw the Waqf Properties (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Bill, 2014, which the previous Congress-led UPA government introduced.
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