Maintain calm, says Shahi Imam on amendments in Waqf Act
Hundreds of Muslims gathered outside the Jama Masjid here and burnt copies of the Bill proposing amendments in the Waqf Act. At the same time, the Shahi Imam of Punjab, Maulana Mohammad Usman Rehmani Ludhianvi, asked the Muslim brethren not to take law into their own hands, saying this should be sorted out with dialogue and patience.
The Shahi Imam, Maulana Mohammad Usman Rehmani Ludhianvi, condemned the Union government for bringing changes in the Waqf Act.
To protest against the amendments, hundreds of Muslims gathered outside Jama Masjid, Field Ganj, to oppose it and burnt copies of the Bill. The Muslims gathered also submitted a memorandum to the Union Government to lodge their protest.
Talking to The Tribune, the Shahi Imam said that they objected to the condition of the Central Government of inducting three non-Muslim members in the Central Waqf Council of India. He said when temple associations had all Hindus, Sikh organisations had all Sikhs on board, then why were non-Muslims being brought in Muslim organisations? He said that there were many misconceptions regarding the Waqf Board as Muslims were just the custodians of the property of “Allah”.
The Shahi Imam said that he admitted there were many flaws and the main national leadership of Muslims had vested interests because of which it was not paying attention to the real problems due to which the community was suffering. He said there were three main factors —- large-scale corruption in Waqf Board. On 60-80 per cent of Waqf Board properties, there were illegal occupants. There were also many tenants or those who had taken the Waqf land on lease, but were not paying the rent. The third problem was that the Waqf Board was not doing any charity to uplift the Muslims in need. Had these lands been used for the betterment of Muslims, things would have been different and better, said the Shahi Imam.
He also said that the two main political parties —- Congress and BJP — had confused the Muslim masses. The Congress was scaring Muslims about the BJP while the latter wanted to convey that they were the great “messiah” for Muslims.
“At this stage, I want Muslims to maintain calm and struggle for their just rights with patience and not to take law in their hands. Do not go wrong anywhere,” urged the Shahi Imam.
