'Uddhav is true friend': Ulema Board on Shiv Sena (UBT) opposing Waqf Act

According to the Board's general secretary, Thackeray has taken the right step in opposing the Act as the land under the control of Waqf authorities can now be released for other purposes.

Mumbai: A day after the Waqf (Amendment) Act received the president's nod, various organisations of the Muslim community led by All India Ulema Board have raised serious concerns about the new law.

At the same time, the Board welcomed the decision of Shiv Sena (UBT) head and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to oppose the Act and called him a "true friend."

All India Ulema Board's National General Secretary Allam Bonai Naeem Hasni and representatives of several other Muslim organisations, leaders, scholars addressed a press conference on Sunday to flag various issues.

“The Bill was first tabled in parliament in August last year but was sent to a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) after the opposition parties flagged issues. The version that has been passed incorporates several changes suggested by the sharply divided committees. Now it has been passed in the Parliament,” he said.

The Waqf properties include mosques, madrassas, shelter homes and thousands of acres of land donated by Muslims, and are managed by boards.

According to him, Thackeray has taken the right step in opposing the Act as the land under the control of Waqf authorities can now be released for other purposes.

“The objective of this Act is to weaken the institution of Waqf and make it ineffective,” the leaders said in the press conference.

"The Waqf Act—now renamed as Unified Waqf Management Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (UMEED) Act, will not serve any purpose," they added.