After the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 in both Houses of Parliament, the political temperature in the country has risen with several leaders and organisations filing petitions against the bill. However, amidst the legal hustle, a significant and often unheard section of the Muslim community—comprising the poor, Pasmanda, and Sufi Muslims—has come forward in praise, celebrating the move as a long-awaited correction in the system.
Mohammad Amir Rashid, President of the Dara Shikoh Foundation, expressed uncontainable joy on the passage of the Bill. “The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 has been passed in the Rajya Sabha and the poor and Pasmanda Muslims are very happy,” he said. “It has brought a new ray of hope… We burst crackers, lit candles and distributed sweets. This Bill will open new doors of development for Muslims.”
#WATCH | Aligarh, UP | Mohammad Amir Rashid, President of Dara Shikoh Foundation says, "The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 has been passed in the Rajya Sabha and the poor and Pasmanda Muslims are very happy… The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 has brought a new ray of hope… We burst… https://t.co/lLTTHxj15E pic.twitter.com/IFi0Faqu9F
— ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2025
Indeed, the festive atmosphere in several minority-dominated pockets spoke volumes about the support the bill is receiving on the ground. While a handful of elites and vested interests raised concerns, their voices seem increasingly detached from the reality of millions of underprivileged Muslims who have long been denied their due.
The End of Waqf Monopoly?
One of the most vocal supporters of the amendment has been Kashish Warsi, National President of the Indian Sufi Foundation. He questioned the decades-long silence of those now threatening legal action: “PM Modi said that this bill is for the welfare. In Parliament, it was said that the Waqf had an income and properties worth crores. If this was the case, why would Muslims continue to be poor?” Warsi didn’t mince words in his criticism of the so-called ‘Waqf mafias’—groups accused of exploiting Waqf properties for personal gain. “Why the Waqf boards didn’t build schools, hospitals and houses for poor Muslims?” he asked.
#WATCH | Moradabad, UP | On #WaqfAmendmentBill, Kashish Warsi, National President of the Indian Sufi Foundation, says, "PM Modi said that this bill is for the welfare. In Parliament, it was said that the Waqf had an income and properties worth crores. If this was the case, why… pic.twitter.com/stIMWqwOfC
— ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2025
The sentiment was echoed by Intesab Qadiri, a prominent Sufi saint, who noted, “I think that in India the Waqf mafia was gaining more power than the land mafia…” His stark observation reflects the frustration felt by many over decades of alleged mismanagement and lack of accountability within Waqf Boards.
"मैं समझता हूं कि हिन्दूस्तान में भू माफिया से ज़्यादा वक्फ माफिया ज़ोर पकड़ रहा था…": इंतेसाब कादिरी, सूफी संत
"अब इस वक्फ बोर्ड के माध्यम से कौम की तरक्की होगी, बच्चों को शिक्षा मिलेगी, रोज़गार बढ़ेगा…": जमाल सिद्दीकी, प्रमुख, भाजपा अल्पसंख्यक मोर्चा#ReporterDiary |… pic.twitter.com/kvcY6serOI
— AajTak (@aajtak) April 3, 2025
A Path to Progress and Accountability
Jamal Siddiqui, Chief of the BJP Minority Front, said the Bill would usher in a phase of growth for the community. “Now through this Waqf Board the community will progress, children will get education, employment will increase,” he said, capturing the essence of the amendment’s impact.
Uttar Pradesh Minister Danish Azad Ansari also extended his strong backing. “Backward class Muslims welcome this Bill. People of some sections considered Waqf properties as their personal property, whereas Waqf should have been for the welfare of Muslims,” he said. “Flaws in Waqf Board will now be removed with proper management and auditing. Charitable schools, hospitals, and skill development centres will be opened on Waqf properties, so that backward Muslims can benefit.”
#WATCH | Lucknow | On Waqf Amendment Bill passed in Lok Sabha, Uttar Pradesh Minister Danish Azad Ansari says, "Backward class Muslims welcome this Bill…People of some sections considered Waqf properties as their personal property, whereas Waqf should have been for the welfare… pic.twitter.com/qvsmR969Rq
— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2025
Ansari also pointed to the shocking discrepancy between the value of Waqf properties—estimated to be worth ₹1.25 lakh crore—and the annual revenue generated, which stands at a mere ₹150 crore. “The potential should be at least ₹1200 crore,” he said, exposing the rot within the system.
A Silent Majority Speaks
Maulana Kokab Mujtaba, another prominent voice, pointed out a harsh reality: “There are more than 20 crore Muslims in India, but only a few people are opposing the Waqf Amendment Bill. 20 crore Muslims neither know about Waqf, nor are they Mutawallis, nor do they take benefit of it.”
#watch | वक्फ बिल पर क्या बोले मौलाना कोकब मुजतबा ?
भारत में 20 करोड़ से ज्यादा मुसलमान हैं, लेकिन वक्फ संशोधन बिल का विरोध चंद लोग कर रहे हैं।
20 करोड़ मुसलमान न वक्फ को जानते हैं, न मुतवल्ली हैं, न इसका फायदा उठाया, न दिया जाता है।
कुछ बड़ी शख्सियतें और धर्मगुरु 8-8.5 लाख… pic.twitter.com/BmVMtqguLT
— डीडी न्यूज़ (@DDNewsHindi) April 2, 2025
This brings to light a deeper problem—that Waqf benefits have historically been confined to a handful of influential individuals. Reports that 8 to 8.5 lakh Waqf properties were sold or misused by certain religious elites further vindicate the need for reform.
Echoing this, the Olema Foundation, comprising Islamic scholars from across the country, has lent its unequivocal support to the Bill, demanding its immediate implementation for the good of the community.
A Historic Step for Real Inclusion
Pyare Khan, Chairman of the Maharashtra Minority Commission, praised the bill as a game-changer. “It is a very good thing for poor, underprivileged Muslims. What used to happen till now is that previous governments used to think only about crorepati Muslims. No one used to talk about underprivileged Muslims.”
VIDEO | Waqf (Amendment) Bill: Pyare Khan, chairman, Maharashtra Minority Commission says, "It is a very good thing for poor, underprivileged Muslims. What used to happen till now is that previous governments used to think only about crorepati Muslims. No one used to talk about… pic.twitter.com/P3WUmsEEOo
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 2, 2025
Delhi Haj Committee chairperson Kausar Jahan also highlighted the urgent need for reform. “This is an important step towards transparency, accountability, and impartiality. It is the need of the hour. The present situation of Waqf Board or Waqf properties demands change. The actual beneficiaries and underprivileged Muslims are not receiving any benefits.”
VIDEO | Waqf (Amendment) Bill: Delhi Haj Committee chairperson Kausar Jahan (@Kausarjahan213) says, "I welcome this (Bill). This is an important step towards transparency, accountability, and impartiality. It is the need of the hour. Those who don't want the betterment of the… pic.twitter.com/TSuaSHvVN9
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 2, 2025
While a few elite voices continue to oppose the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, the overwhelming sentiment among ground-level Muslims tells a different story—one of hope, reform, and long-awaited justice. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 isn’t a threat to the community; it’s a beacon for those who were left behind for too long.
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