Responding to a call from the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), a large number of community members in the state capital wore black armbands in protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, as they gathered for the Alvida Juma prayers on Friday.
In the appeal released on its social media platforms, the AIMPLB had urged community members to register their opposition to the contentious amendments in a silent, peaceful, and democratic expression of 'grief and protest'.
Congregating for Juma Tul Vida prayers on the last Friday of the month of Ramadan, members of the Muslim community in the city wore the armbands in solidarity with the nationwide disapproval of the Centre's move to alter Waqf laws.
As per provisions of the new bill, the Central Waqf Council and various Waqf Boards will include non-Muslim members. The community views this as a move to dilute their control over these bodies.
The other contentious parts include the dissolution of Waqf Tribunals and the investment of greater powers in district collectors to oversee Waqf activities.
Muslims believe that the amendments will result in the community losing control of their properties, which include mosques, graveyards, mausoleums, and educational institutions.
Following the largely organic protest at the city mosques earlier in the day, Shahr Qazi Mushtaq Ali Nadvi told The Pioneer, "Jo personal law board (AIMPLB) keh raha hai, hum uski tae'd karte hain (We conform to what is said by the AIMPLB.)"
Reacting to the development, Dr Yousuf Khalil Hussaini, a well-known medical practitioner and one of the more socially prolific figures among Muslim youth, said, "It is heartening to see that people, especially youngsters, are cognizant of social issues involving the community."
Khalil said that the issue gains prominence as it casts shades of doubt over the future of religious places belonging to the Muslim community.
He said that perhaps the initiation of confidence-building measures by the government could have gone a long way in allaying fears in the community.
Though not averse to better management of Waqf properties, several community members said they viewed the throttling of opposition voices as a breakdown in democratic processes, especially as it comes in the midst of an environment of distrust.
