Patna: In what is being called a historic day for the regional and national political landscape, Maulana Ahmed Wali Faisal Rahmani, Chief of Imarat-e-Shariah, led a powerful and united voice from Gandhi Maidan in Patna against the controversial Waqf Amendment Act under the banner of the “Waqf Bachao Dastoor Bachao” campaign.
Speaking to TwoCircles.net, Dr. Asma Zehra, a senior member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), said, Maulana Rahmani has emerged as a bold and relevant figure in Indian Muslim leadership. His persistent campaign to protect Waqf properties—especially by mobilizing over 5 crore emails and launching district-level awareness efforts—brought unprecedented national attention to the issue. His approach, characterized by planning and ground-level execution, quickly gained respect across the country.
However, his rise was met with resistance. After facing internal pressures and being sidelined from the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), he intensified his fight for the community. When he boycotted the official Iftar hosted by the Bihar government during Ramadan, it triggered political tremors. The response was swift and harsh—on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr, Imarat-e-Shariah faced an orchestrated attack allegedly instigated by clerics backed by Nitish Kumar’s allies. The result was not just a physical assault but also a brutal attempt at character assassination, with questions raised about his position as Ameer-e-Shariat.
This division within the community gave political actors a chance to push the controversial Waqf Amendment Bill forward. With Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu’s support crucial to the BJP-led central government, the bill moved closer to becoming law. The betrayal left Muslims across India shocked and disillusioned. Yet, a ray of hope emerged: over 230 MPs, including members of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), stood firm in opposing the bill.
Despite being relatively new to high-profile political leadership, Maulana Rahmani demonstrated remarkable vision. He organized training workshops, built networks across districts, included youth voices, and effectively utilized media through the platform Fikr-o-Nazr, under the stewardship of Fazlur Rahim. His campaign became a grassroots movement aimed at protecting masajid, kabristan, and the constitutional rights of Indian Muslims.
When another attempt was made to seize control of Imarat-e-Shariah before Eid al-Adha, Maulana Rahmani countered with the bold decision to organize a mass gathering in Patna. Inviting Muslims from across the nation, the conference became a thunderous response to efforts aimed at weakening the Waqf and dividing the community.
While some believed this move was politically risky—especially with ongoing legal cases and criticism from within the AIMPLB—his resolve remained firm. With the support of his brother Fahad Rahmani (noted for Rahmani 30), community elders, political leaders, and religious groups, Maulana Rahmani mobilized thousands to raise a unified voice.
The contrast between his proactive approach and the passive stance of others was stark. Even as AIMPLB continued its meetings, its decision to not make Waqf a poll issue was seen by many as a concession to Nitish Kumar. In contrast, Maulana Rahmani’s stand was clear: Waqf and constitutional rights must be election issues to awaken political accountability.
The grand success of the Gandhi Maidan rally—graced by leaders from Congress, RJD, AIMIM, and Samajwadi Party—marked a new chapter. Maulana Rahmani himself spoke little, allowing the unity of voices to speak louder than words. His behind-the-scenes work and tireless engagement had already laid the foundation.
The rally was more than just a political gathering—it was a spiritual and symbolic moment of unity, resistance, and hope. It signaled the birth of a new phase in Muslim leadership in India, one rooted in vision, grassroots activism, and fearless advocacy.
May Allah protect Imarat-e-Shariah, strengthen the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, and unite the Ummah to resist all forms of division and oppression.
