There is a ruckus in India over the Waqf Amendment Bill, Know in which countries such Islamic bodies exist

New Delhi: Modi government is bringing the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday and around 12 noon, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju will present the bill in the House. Earlier, in the meeting of the Business Advisory Committee, there was a consensus on presenting the bill.

8 hours have been fixed for discussion on the bill in the Lok Sabha and it can also be extended as per the demand of the House. Before the bill is presented, all the parties including the ruling BJP, the main opposition Congress have issued whips to their MPs asking them to be present in the House.

Uproar over the Waqf Bill
The Waqf Amendment Bill has been in constant discussion for the last few days and apart from Muslim organizations, many opposition parties are openly opposing it. The government is of the opinion that this bill has been brought to bring transparency by eliminating corruption in the Waqf Board. At the same time, the opposition believes that the government is snatching the rights of Muslims through this bill. In such a situation, the question arises whether Waqf Board exists only in India or is there any such institution or system in other countries as well.

In this regard, Maulana Khalid Rashid, a prominent Islamic scholar and religious leader of Farangi Mahali Lucknow, says that most of the Waqf lands around the world exist in the form of religious places. He said that more than 90 percent of Waqf properties exist in the form of mosques, dargahs, graveyards and Imambaras. He emphasizes that this tradition has been at the individual level from the beginning, and was not started in an organized form by any ruler or emperor.

Waqf is under the ministry in many countries
Regarding the history of Waqf Board, he said that no emperor, king or Mughal emperor established Waqf as an organized committee. He said that earlier there was nothing like Waqf Board, after India became independent and the constitution was formed, different endowment and trust boards were formed for different religions. It is not just for Muslims, but every religion has its own boards. Waqf Board was also formed in a similar way for Muslims.

Is there any example of Waqf in Islamic law? In response to this, he told that there is a whole ministry for Waqf in Islamic constitutions. For example, there is a ‘Ministry of Waqf’ in Saudi Arabia. Similarly, there is a separate ministry for Waqf in Islamic countries like Qatar, Iraq and United Arab Emirates. He further tells that in these countries it comes under the ‘Ministry of Religious Affairs’. This is completely a religious matter. Maulana emphasizes that in every Islamic country Waqf can have its own name and its own structure, but its basic purpose remains the same – use of property for society and religion.

There is a ‘Foundation’ in Turkey
Historian Irfan Habib also believes that systems like Waqf exist in different names and forms in different parts of the world. But their basic purpose is to use the property for charitable works. He said, ‘It is not necessary that if such an institution exists in other countries, its name should be Waqf, it can be some other name as well, after all charitable work is done everywhere.’ Therefore, according to him, it is an assumption that Waqf exists in some form or the other outside India as well, especially in Islamic countries, (such as Egypt, Syria, Turkey) although he cannot say clearly what its name is there.

Waqf is also kept under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in many countries. For example, in Turkey it is called ‘Foundation’ and there is a department of the ministry named Foundation Directorate. It is written about it that its mission is to maintain and develop the foundation for future generations as per the wishes of the donors. Similarly, in Egypt there is a department named Ministry of Endowments which builds and maintains mosques. Apart from this, it does work related to public service. Let us tell you that the English translation of Waqf is Endowment.