Consultative Meeting in Mumbai to Implement AIMPLB’s Roadmap Opposing the Waqf Amendment Act
EC News Desk
Mumbai — Thursday, April 10
A consultative meeting was convened at 3 PM in Islam Gymkhana, Mumbai, under the guidance of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), to discuss the implementation of its roadmap opposing the Waqf Amendment Act 2025. The meeting, organized as part of the Board’s “Save Waqf Campaign,” saw a large turnout of distinguished invitees from Mumbai and its suburbs.
Maulana Mahmood Khan Daryabadi, Maharashtra Convener of the Board, stated that the unjust manner in which the government has passed the new Waqf law has caused widespread unrest among Muslims across the country. Considering this situation, the AIMPLB—an umbrella organization representing all Islamic sects in India—has prepared a nationwide protest roadmap. Since the struggle may be long-term, the Board has initially announced the first phase from April 11 to July 7. As part of this, a “Waqf Protection Week” will be observed from April 11 to April 18. This week will include awareness campaigns, black band protests, sit-ins, press conferences, interfaith dialogues with peace-loving citizens, and awareness programs especially targeting women.
On this occasion, Maulana Mahmood Daryabadi and other board members appealed to the people of Mumbai and its surrounding areas to trust the Board and actively participate in this movement. They urged everyone to abide by the law and strive peacefully to make this campaign a success.
During the meeting, small committees were also formed for different areas of the city and suburbs. These committees were instructed to collaborate locally with all sects and active organizations to implement the Board’s directives and keep the state-level leadership informed of their progress.
Maulana Mahmood Khan Daryabadi, Convener of the Maharashtra Committee formed by the Board to oppose the Waqf Amendment Bill, said that Waqf Protection Week will be observed from April 11 to April 18. During this week, sermons and lectures on Waqf awareness will be delivered in mosques and local halls. Black armbands will be worn during Friday prayers. Wherever permitted by local authorities, corner meetings and sit-ins will be organized. Daryabadi also mentioned that major cities will host press conferences, and efforts will be made to build trust and communicate with non-Muslim citizens. Teams have been formed to handle both social media and mainstream media. The Board’s women’s wing is also actively involved. Two large protest events are scheduled by the Board’s central committee: one on April 22 at Talkatora Stadium in Delhi and another on July 7 at Ramlila Ground in Delhi.
Many respected participants in the meeting expressed their views, noting that this could be a long struggle. They emphasized the importance of conserving energy and combining enthusiasm with wisdom to sustain the movement.
During the meeting, an appeal was also made to scholars and imams to highlight the AIMPLB’s 11-point program under the Save Waqf Campaign during Friday sermons. They were urged to make the public aware that the government has malicious intentions towards Waqf properties. Muslims should not be swayed by government propaganda; instead, they should strive to understand the truth and the government’s real motives. As we are all aware, the current government has passed the Waqf Amendment Act in Parliament, which is entirely against the protection and safety of Waqf properties. The government aims to seize Waqf assets or permanently remove them from Waqf jurisdiction. Therefore, it is essential to raise public awareness by discussing this issue in Friday sermons and presenting the facts, especially since the government machinery is engaged in a campaign claiming that the current amendment bill is in favor of Muslims and for the protection of Waqf properties.
Among the dignitaries present at the meeting were: Maulana Haleemullah (President, Jamiat Ulama Maharashtra), Maulana Ilyas Falahi (President, Jamaat-e-Islami Maharashtra), Shia scholar Maulana Zaheer Abbas Rizvi, Maulana Anees Ashrafi (President, Raza Foundation), Yusuf Abrahani, Suhail Subedar, Nizamuddin Raeen, Mufti Huzaifa Qasmi, Maulana Burhanuddin Qasmi, Maulana Ausaf Falahi, Mufti Ashfaq Qazi, Maulana Zahid Qasmi, Mufti Abdul Basit, Maulana Mohammad Saad Shakir Sheikh, Abdul Mujeeb.
AIMPLB members included: Mufti Saeedur Rahman Farooqi, Fareed Sheikh, Saleem Motorwala, Hafiz Iqbal Chunawala, Professor Monisa Bushra Abidi, Ishrat Shahabuddin Sheikh.
From the Board’s women’s wing: Zakia Fareed Sheikh and Advocate Hooria Patel.
Around 150 scholars, imams, intellectuals, journalists, and social activists attended the event.
