Mirwaiz claims Muslim body not allowed to hold meeting over Waqf issue

Srinagar: Authorities on Wednesday prevented the Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), a coalition of religious organisations in Jammu and Kashmir, from holding a meeting in Srinagar regarding the recently passed Wakf (Amendment) Act.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the chairman of the Hurriyat Conference and Kashmir’s chief priest, expressed his concerns on X, stating: "……It is strange that even a discussion to deliberate on this serious issue and respond peacefully by Muslim scholars and religious institutes in this Muslim majority region is barred. When every political party could freely express their views on this issue in the Indian Parliament, this right should be extended to the Muslim political and religious representatives of J&K also."

He said that the MMU had decided that the joint resolution on this matter prepared in consultation with all members will be read out in mosques and at all religious congregations on coming Friday.

The MMU also extended its support for the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), which filed a petition in the Supreme Court on April 6 challenging the constitutional validity of the Act.

The Wakf Act has sparked debate in Kashmir, with concerns raised over its potential impact on the management and control of religious properties. The Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly witnessed uproar for three consecutive days over the contentious law, which has already received parliamentary approval and presidential assent.