Mirwaiz Umar Farooq-led body seeks immediate meeting with Jagdambika Pal

Muttahida Majlis-E-Ulema, an umbrella body of around 46 prominent religious and social organizations and institutions in Jammu and Kashmir led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Thursday sought an immediate meeting with the chairman of the joint parliamentary committee on Waqf amendment Bill, Jagdambika Pal to discuss the concerns and anxiety over the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act.

MMU maintains that these amendments have sparked significant concerns and anxiety within the muslim community due to their potential impact on religious, social and charitable institutions.

MMU has emphasized on the critical nature of these amendments, which could undermine the autonomy and fundamental purpose of Waqf properties. “MMU believes that the proposed changes could have far-reaching implications on the welfare and self-governance of the Muslim community in the region,” read the letter sent to Pal. The proposed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which proposes around 40 amendments to the existing Waqf Act, 1995 (as amended in 2013) and it has been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for wider scrutiny.


MMU while seeking the appointment have stressed on the importance of timely dialogue especially considering ‘the gravity of the situation and potential impact on the community.’

“We once again request you to give us an audience at the earliest possible time. J&K, being a muslim-majority state, requires its concerns to be heard and addressed thoughtfully,” said Mirwaiz. The MMU's request for a meeting, the letter read, highlights the urgent need for constructive discussions to address the widespread distress and apprehensions among muslims in J&K. "We believe that a meeting with your esteemed self will provide an opportunity for meaningful dialogue rather than unilateral actions," it read.

They are hopeful of a positive response to ensure that the community's perspectives are considered in revising the Waqf Act, 2024. Earlier in September the MMU rejected the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, during a session here in Srinagar and had sought the meeting with Pal at that time as well.

MMU had stated that Waqf properties fall under divine law and are part of Muslim Personal Law and therefore, any interference or amendments made by the government through various acts and amendments are unacceptable to muslims.