– Pervez Bari
Bengaluru: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has reiterated its stand on the controversial Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, rejecting it completely. It has also urged the Chhattisgarh Waqf Board Chairman to withdraw its circular asking Imams of masjids to take approval for Juma khutba (sermons) before delivering it during Friday prayers.
The theme of the two-day AIMPLB meeting was “Protection of Shariah and Auqaf”. In all, six sessions were held in the two-day meeting on November 23 and 24.
According AIMPLB spokesperson Dr. SQR Ilyas, the members took serious note of the Chhattisgarh Waqf Board circular. They said the Chhattisgarh Waqf Board has overstepped its jurisdiction. The job of the Waqf Board is to monitor and protect Waqf properties. This order of the Chairman of Chhattisgarh Waqf Board is in direct conflict with the provisions of Fundamental Rights of the Constitution of India Art. 19(1)(a) Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Religion (Article 25).
The Chairman’s statement that political speeches cannot be made from mosques is absurd and based on discrimination and bias. Islam is a complete system of life and politics is also an important part of it. Proper guidance of people during elections is an important duty. The meeting noted that the Waqf Board should immediately withdraw this circular. It is not the job of Waqf Board to tell what Imams of mosques and scholars should say and what shouldn’t be said in Friday sermons. The Waqf Board should limit itself to monitoring, protecting and regulating Waqf properties and not interfere in other matters.
Meanwhile, Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, who was re-elected president of AIMPLB, on the first day of the two-day 29th session of the Board, in consultation with the 40-member executive committee picked his team of office-bearers. The most important selection is the picking up of Maulana Shah Fazlurrahim Mujaddidi again as AIMPLB’s General Secretary.
Born on 22nd June 1957, Maulana Mujaddidi is the son and successor of renowned scholar and educationist Maulana Shah Mohammad Abdur Rahim Mujaddidi and the successor of another Maulana Shah Hidayat Ali Mujaddidi.
AIMPLB concluded with the release of “Bangalore Declaration.” The two-day session of the Board held at a critical juncture, as the protection of Waqf properties remains a pressing issue throughout the country. AIMPLB has been at the forefront of this struggle, tirelessly advocating for Waqf rights and opposing legislative proposals that threaten these properties.
The meeting was particularly significant given the current socio-political conditions, which pose unprecedented challenges to Islamic laws and practices in India. Eminent scholars, religious leaders, and intellectuals from across the country participated in the discussions aimed at addressing these challenges.
AIMPLB serves as a united platform representing all sects, schools of thought, and sections of the Muslim community in India. For over 52 years, it has actively defended Islamic Shariah and religious practices nationwide. Established in 1973, the AIMPLB was founded to protect and promote the application of Islamic law among Muslims in India. Throughout its history, the Board has engaged with significant issues, including Shah Bano case, Babri Masjid case, and Triple Talaq matter, consistently advocating for the preservation of Muslim personal laws and opposing efforts toward the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code in India.
Meanwhile, AIMPLB 29th session culminated with a massive public meeting in the evening today at Eidgah Quddoos Saheb on Millers Road, where distinguished scholars of various schools of thought and community leaders nationwide addressed the gathering.
