Indian-American Muslims Hail the Historic Decision that Could Free Billions of Dollars of Muslim Endowment Properties from the Illegal and Unethical Occupation by the Governmental Agencies, Multinational Corporations. Microsoft Campus in Hyderabad Among Institutions Built on Illegally Occupied Endowment Land. Leaders Hope Microsoft Will Set a Good Example by Paying the Market Price for its Land to the Muslims.
The co-chairs of the New York chapter of Muslim Peace Coalition, Dr. Shaik Ubaid and Seemi Ahmed have hailed the Andhra Pradesh High Court decision that has the potential to free hundreds of billions of dollars worth of Muslim endowment properties from illegal occupation by governmental agencies, multinational corporations such as Microsoft and Indian business power houses.
Dr.Ubaid and Mrs.Ahmed both hail from Hyderabad and are leaders of peace movement and inter-faith work in the US. They congratulated the leaders of the Muslim groups and publishers of the Hyderabadi Urdu newspapers for taking up the issue of endowment lands. They withstood tremendous pressure from the State and Central (federal) governments and the multinational corporations and refused to back down
“A large part of the180 million Muslims of India have been forced to live a life of abject poverty and illiteracy because of systematic discrimination and violent pogroms. Usurpation of the waqf (endowment) properties, at times with the connivance of corrupt Muslims have been a part of a systematic campaign to disempower the Muslim community. The community that ruled India for 800 years has been targeted first by the British colonialists and later by the Hindu-supremacist Hindutva movement which has infiltrated all major national political parties and civilian centers of powers. Waqf properties under occupation all over India should be reclaimed and be rededicated to serve the original intent of the donors. The Muslims have a system of endowment all over the Muslim world to ensure that the community and their non Muslim neighbors benefit from religious as well as upliftment works such as educational and health institutions,” stated Dr. Ubaid.
“Just like the American ivy league and other institutions, Indian Muslims must build centers of learning and health care facilities for the poor all over India with the help of endowment funds,” said Dr. Ubaid who once taught at a medical college affiliated with the ivy league Cornell University. “They should launch projects that will provide jobs and help the empowerment of the Muslim community. This will help bridge the gap between the various communities in India and help build a better and stronger India,” stated Ubaid who was instrumental in launching multi-faith coalitions in the US such as Coalition to Build Better India and Coalition Against Genocide.
“Liberation of waqf properties can usher in an era of unprecedented development for Indian Muslims and India itself,” said Seemi Ahmed, the Muslim chaplain of Hofstra University in New York. Ahmed comes from an elite family of Hyderabadi nobles and like Ubaid studied in prestigious Hyderabadi institutions before migrating to the US. Ahmed who is also a prominent woman leader demanded that institutions empowering Muslim women and strengthening families be given priority when the compensation for the usurped properties is finally paid.