Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim  

Press Conference by Salahuddin Ahmed, Honorable Member of the BNP National Standing Committee 

Date: 6 April 2025  

Venue: Chairperson’s Office, Gulshan

Dear Journalist Brothers and Sisters, 

Assalamu Alaikum.

A few days ago, the Indian Parliament passed a law titled the Muslim Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025. Upon analyzing various provisions of this legislation, we have observed that it attempts to curtail the rights of India's Muslim minority and promotes discriminatory treatment. In response, Muslims across India and various Muslim organizations have condemned the bill as unconstitutional and politically motivated.

Waqf is an ancient Islamic practice of charity, whereby an individual donates assets—typically land—for religious or public welfare purposes. Such Waqf properties are not to be sold or transferred.

With Muslims making up 14% of India’s population—approximately 200 million people—this law poses a serious threat to their religious traditions, rights, culture, and interests. There is ample scope for misuse of the law, which could severely disrupt the management of Islamic religious institutions. Of the nearly 1 million acres of Waqf property under various Waqf Boards in India, most are utilized for mosques, madrasas, cemeteries, and orphanages. The inclusion of non-Muslim members in the governing boards under the new law has sparked controversy, potentially undermining the constitutional rights of Muslim citizens. We believe such interference in religious affairs and discriminatory actions from a state level risk damaging communal harmony.

In no other religious legal bodies or boards in India are members from different faiths included. In that context, this law stands as a discriminatory one. Amendments introduced in the new law could jeopardize the future of mosques and other Islamic institutions established on Waqf lands centuries ago. Granting authority to non-Muslim members for managing these properties is a direct intrusion into the religious rights of Muslim citizens.

Dear Journalist Friends,  

Organizations like the All India Muslim Personal Law Board have asserted that this law contradicts the very essence of the Islamic Waqf system. According to them, Waqf Boards should be managed solely by Muslims. They consider this move a direct violation of Muslim religious rights.

India is a vast democratic nation. We hope that, in line with the democratic principle of safeguarding the religious rights of all citizens, the Indian government will reconsider this law. We believe that taking such steps is essential for preserving regional communal harmony and could play a historic role in that effort.

Thank you all. 

Allah Hafez; Bangladesh Zindabad