Hyderabad, October 06: All India Muslim Personal Law Board pointed out certain lacunae in the proposed Wakf Bill which is under the consideration of the select committee headed by Prof. Saifuddin Soze. The delegation led by Mr. Mohammed Abdul Rahim Quraishi, Asst. General Secretary of All India Muslim Personal Law Board consisted of Maulana Wali Rahmani, Secretary Board, Mr. Yousuf Hathim Machala, Senior Advocate, Mr. Shabbir Bhai Nooruddin, & Mr. Kamal Faruqui. Prof. Saifuddin Soze had invited the members of All India Muslim Personal Law Board to attend the meeting of the parliaments select committee at its meeting on 13th October. Prof. Saifuddin Soze and Mr. Parvez Hashmi, member select committee told that most of the suggestions submitted by Personal Law Board have been accepted by select committee. The Board expressed its satisfaction.
The propsed Wakf Bill has many defects which have to be reviewed in the light of the suggestions put forth by the Personal Law Board. It was pointed out that by limiting the Wakf survey to its date of implementation of the bill, all such properties illegally occupied after the partition of India and Pakistan have been excluded.
It was pointed out by the Personal Law Board that the representation of ulema (Muslim religious scholars) in the State Wakf Boards has been restricted to one which is inadequate. The inclusion of financial experts, developers & agricultural experts is improper. Real Estate Developers would try to earn more money by utilizing Wakf properties rather than protecting them. Only Muslim Ulema can protect Wakf Properties. It was agreed that the responsibilities of protecting Wakf properties be entrusted to District collectors and subordinate officers.
Mr. Abdur Rahim Quraishi suggested that Wakf properties should be declared as ‘Public Premises’ so that illegal possessions could be removed.
Prof. Soze informed that Law Ministry has an objection to it. Mr. Yousuf Machala told the select committee members that in the existing Act of Public Premises, the word “Wakf” could be incorporated.
Mr. Quraishi pointed out that in the Act of Rajasthan Govt. Wakf Properties have been declared as public premises. Prof. Soze instructed the officials of the Select Committee to review this.
Prof. Soze infored that the select committee has already completed its work and he wanted to apprise the proceedings to the members of Muslim Personal Law Board before drafting the final report.
——Siasat News