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Islamabad: Altaf Hussain Wani, Chairman of the Kashmir Institute of International Relations, has urged the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to confront the potential threats posed by India’s Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. In a letter addressed to the OIC Secretary General, Hissein Brahim Taha, Wani highlighted the risks to waqf properties, which are vital for social services and mosques in Indian-administered Kashmir.
According to a statement by Kashmir Media Service, the Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in August 2024. Wani emphasized that the proposed legislation threatens the independence of waqf properties by shifting crucial responsibilities from State Waqf Boards to tax officials, potentially leading to bureaucratic interference.
The letter criticized the Bill for its contradictory provisions, such as including non-Muslims on Waqf Boards while limiting their roles. Wani warned that the amendments could marginalize the Muslim community by reducing their decision-making power, exacerbating tensions in Jammu and Kashmir.
Wani called for meaningful engagement with Muslim leaders and international advocacy to protect waqf governance and the religious rights of Muslims in India and Kashmir.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, according to Wani, poses a significant challenge to the autonomy and representation of the Muslim community regarding their cultural assets. By altering the composition of the Waqf Board, the Bill threatens to diminish Muslim representation in decision-making, risking policies that may not reflect the community’s interests.
Furthermore, the imposition of additional legal and procedural requirements on waqf management could create bureaucratic hurdles, potentially leading to disputes and increasing tensions. In Kashmir, any perceived encroachment on waqf properties may escalate divisions and deepen communal strife.
Wani stressed the importance of engaging Muslim leaders in discussions on the Bill, urging the OIC to advocate for the protection of religious rights. Safeguarding waqf governance is crucial for preserving communal harmony and fostering stability in regions marked by historical tensions.
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