Srinagar, Sep 16 (KNO): Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), the largest conglomerate of religious organisations in J&K headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq while commenting on the interim order of the Supreme Court on the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 has said that while certain provisions have been stayed, the wider constitutional and religious concerns raised by this Act remain unaddressed, leaving the community anxious and dissatisfied.
In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the MMU stresses that Waqf is not merely about property but about religious trust and service to Allah.
“Any attempt to dilute Muslim control over these sacred endowments or to erode their historic protection is unacceptable to the community and is against the principles enshrined in the constitution, which grants every religious denomination the right to manage its own religious affairs,” the statement reads, adding that the Court has provided interim partial interim which is a good indication , but they do not go far enough.
Many provisions of the Act remain a cause of grave concern. The abolition of the long-recognised principle of “Waqf by user” threatens centuries-old mosques, shrines, graveyards, and community institutions that have functioned as waqf based on continuous use, even without deeds. The mandatory requirement of a waqf deed disregards historical realities where documents were lost or never existed, and risks stripping these properties of their sacred status. The transfer of survey powers from independent commissioners to district collectors compromises neutrality and gives the state excessive control over religious trusts, the statement added.
The MMU believes the amendment as a whole is a deliberate move to weaken and seize waqf properties rather than to protect them. “Encroachers may be legitimized, while genuine community institutions will suffer. Such measures are discriminatory, for no other religious community is subjected to similar interference in its internal religious management,” it reads.
The MMU therefore demanded that the Supreme Court urgently take up the matter for final hearing and safeguard the constitutional and religious rights of Muslims. “The Act in its present form is concerning and the original protections of the Waqf Act should be restored. The Government must desist from undermining the sanctity of Waqf and instead work to preserve, protect and develop these endowments for the social and religious welfare of future generations,” the statement added.
Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulama Jammu and Kashmir includes Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid, Mufti Azam’s Muslim personal law board, Darul Uloom Rahimiyah ,Anjuman Shariee Shian, Jamiate Ahle Hadith, Karwan-e-Islami,Moulana Masroor Abbas Ansari, Anjuman Himayat-ul-Islam, Jamia Sabeel-ul-Huda Bemina Srinagar, Anjuman Tabligh-ul-Islam, Jamiat Hamdania, Anjuman Ulama-e-Ahnaf, Darul Uloom Qasmiya, Darul Uloom Bilaliya, Anjuman Nusrat-ul-Islam, Anjuman Mazhar-ul-Haq, Jamiat-ul-Aima wal Ulama, Anjuman Aima wa Mashayekh Kashmir, Darul Uloom Naqshbandiya, Darul Uloom Rashidiya, Ahlul Bait Foundation, Madrasa Kanz-ul-Uloom, Idara Gousia Saraibala, Kahkah-i- Hyderia Aishmuqam,Pirwan-e-Wilayat, Auqaf Islamia Khiram Sirhama, Bazm-e-Tauheed Ahle Hadith Trust, Anjuman Tanzeem-ul-Makatib, Muhammadi Yateem Trust, Anjuman Anwar-ul-Islam, Karwan Khatm-e-Nabuwwat, Darul Uloom Syed-ul-Mursaleen, Anjuman Ulama wa Aima Masajid, Madrasa Zia-ul-uloom poonch, Falah-e-Darain Trust Welfare Society Islamabad, Ashraf-ul-Uloom Hyderpora, Darul Uloom Dawoodiya Batamaloo, Darul Uloom Furqaniya Nowshera, Darul Uloom Dawoodiya Khanyar, Jamiat-ul-Ulama, Siraj-ul-Uloom, Idara Wahdat-ul-Makatib, Darul Uloom Imdadiya Natipora, Darul Uloom Jamia-tur-Rashad Awantipora, Khanqah Muradiya Jamia Masjid Kreeri, Darul Uloom Saut-ul-Quran Gulshanabad, Awami Rahat Center, Imamia Federation Kashmir, Alnoor Trust Bemina., Shaheen Syndicate social Trust , Jamiat Ulema Wa Aima Masajid Jammu and Kashmir, Daraul Uloom Syed ul Mursaleen Kulgam and other contemporary religious, milli social, and educational institutions—(KNO)