Round Table Conference on "Awqaf in India"

organized by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind at its Headquarters in New Delhi on 27^th April 2024 from 9 am to 1:30 pm.

A Brief Report on the Round Table Conference on "Awqaf in India" 

The Round Table Conference was convened by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind brought together esteemed individuals from diverse backgrounds and regions across India, actively involved in the Awqaf issues.

Maulana Mahmood A. Madani, the President of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, presided over the conference, with Mr. Ovais Sultan Khan, Advisor to Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, serving as the moderator.

The conference was structured around two key panels: "Discovering Solutions" and "Devising Actions." The welcome address was delivered by Maulana Mahmood A. Madani, setting the tone for the discussions that followed.

The panelists for the "Discovering Solutions" segment included notable figures such as Mr. Akramul Jabbar Khan (Retd. IRS, Former Chief Income Tax Commissioner), Mr. Nisar Ahmed (Retd. IAS, Former CEO Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board), Mr. MJ Akbar (Retd. IFS, Former Special Officer, Waqf Board for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana), Mr. Rizwan Qadri (President, Ahmedabad Sunni Muslim Waqf Committee), Mr. MR Shamshad (Advocate on Record, Supreme Court of India), and Mr. Rauf Rahim (Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India). The discussion was enriched by the insights of discussants like Mr. Iqbal M. Shaikh (Former Member, Central Waqf Council, GoI), Mr. Peerzada Farid Nizami (Sajjadanashin, Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia), Mufti Ataur Rahman Qasmi (Historian and author), Mr. Parvez Bari (Senior Journalist), and Mr. Saif Ali Naqvi (Educationist).

The second panel, "Devising Actions," featured distinguished panelists including (Former Judge, Telangana High Court), Prof. Mohammad Yunus (Former CEO Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board), Mr. Fuzail Ayyubi (Advocate on Record, Supreme Court of India), Mr. Muhammad Tahir M. Hakim (Advocate; and Member AIMPLB), Mr. Farid Tungekar (Director, Waqf Liaison Forum), and Mr. Shahnawaz Ahmed Khan (Advocate and Notary). The panel was complemented by discussants such as Mr. Afzal Mohammad Safvi Farooqui, (Naib Sajjadanashin, Khanqah-i-Safvia, Safipur), Mr. Zafar Javeed (Vice Chairman, Sultan-ul-Uloom Education Society), Mr. Abdul Razzak Shaikh (Advocate and President Dewas JUH), Mr. Mohammad Kaleem Khan (Advocate and General Secretary, JUH MP), and Maulana Tayyab (JUH Ujjain Representative), who contributed valuable perspectives to the discourse.

Mr. Niaz A. Farooqui (Secretary, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind), Mr. Haji Mohammad Haroon, Bhopal (President, Jamiat Ulama Madhya Pradesh & Convener, JUH Central Awqaf Committee), and Mr. Peer Khaliq Sabir (General Secretary, Jamiat Ulama AP & TS) shared their brief observations, which were followed by an interactive open house discussion, fostering further engagement and exchange of ideas among the participants.

The following key points were raised and discussed during the Round Table Conference:

• The mandatory submission of Surveys, Annual Reports, and Audit Reports by State Waqf Boards is crucial, but compliance is lacking.
• Proper documentation is essential for transparency and accountability. Need dedicated researchers.
• Establishment of a "Shadow Waqf Council" could provide oversight and guidance.
• Collaborative efforts among stakeholders are necessary for success.
• Community participation in Waqf management is currently insufficient.
• Community leaders should engage with Waqf Boards to advocate for necessary changes.
• Many Waqf Boards are understaffed or lack full membership, impacting their functionality.
• Staff members of Waqf Boards require appropriate training and qualifications.
• The creation of Waqf Awareness Content and Publications is vital for engaging the public.
• Any Muslim individual has the legal right to intervene in Waqf matters.
• The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (JUH) should establish structured teams at various levels (National, State, District, and Village) to focus on Waqf affairs.
• The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (JUH) should provide training programs for three distinct segments: the General Public, JUH Cadre, and Imam/Community Leaders.
• JUH should adopt three key roles: Supportive, Watchdog, and Legal Cell to effectively oversee Waqf affairs.
• Promoting financial literacy is essential for empowering the community economically.
• Establishing a think tank and task force within the community is necessary for strategic planning.
• Creating financial resources is imperative for the upliftment of the community.
• Addressing the collective failure at the grassroots level on Awqaf issues requires immediate remedial actions.
• Implementing Community Tarbiyati Programs is crucial for community development.
• The central issue lies in the lack of understanding and control over Waqf properties.
• Developing a comprehensive plan for managing Awqaf is essential.
• Different legal remedies are required for various types of Waqf lands, necessitating specific classification.
• Adopting a systematic and compartmentalized approach to Awqaf-related work is crucial.
• Establishing dialogue channels with governments on Awqaf matters is essential for effective governance.
• Conducting legal conferences and training sessions is necessary to enhance legal awareness.
• Establishing legal teams at the state level can provide legal support and guidance.
• Recognizing that Waqf Boards and the community can pose challenges to Waqf management, requiring conscientious individuals for effective governance.
• Implementation of a "Save Waqf Property Campaign" to protect and preserve Waqf assets.
• Addressing the lack of awareness among the Muslim community regarding Waqf properties.
• Inclusion of Waqf Laws in the curriculum of Madaris to educate students on the legal aspects of Waqf management.
• Historical context: Lord Curzon's laws aimed at protecting historic monuments have inadvertently caused issues for the community due to misuse.
• Proposed planning framework: survey, identification, action plan by experts, think tank involvement, roadmap for implementation, action reports, and public engagement.
• Strategies for raising awareness among the youth through exhibitions, literature, and social media campaigns.
• Involvement of schools and colleges in awareness programs through reward schemes and activities.
• The absence of honest Waqf Officers, Waqf Board CEOs, and Ministers dedicated to Waqf affairs.
• The necessity of drafting a political memorandum outlining key issues related to Waqf management.
• Advocacy for including the Waqf Act as a subject in LLB courses to enhance legal understanding among future professionals.
• The Gujarat Model for Awqaf improvement serves as a potential blueprint for other regions to follow.
• It is essential to engage with the broader Muslim community to raise awareness and participation in Awqaf matters.
• Emphasizing the concepts of fear for Allah and Sadqa-e-Jariya is crucial in conveying the significance of Awqaf.
• Developing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Awqaf can help clarify common queries and promote understanding.
• The Religious Committee established by the Local Government in the 1990s has deviated from its original purpose and is now targeting historic Muslim properties.
• Promoting awareness about Awqaf is essential for ensuring the safety and security of these properties.
• It is important to educate individuals on Awqaf not just from a legal perspective but also from an Islamic standpoint.
• Awqaf properties are currently neglected, and the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (JUH) should consider taking on a custodian role.
• Establishing a Waqf Information Centre and Knowledge Bank can centralize information and resources on Awqaf.
• Regular political and legal interventions and petitions in accordance with the Waqf Act of 1995 are necessary to address Awqaf-related issues.
• The Waqf Act of 1995 is in alignment with Sharia principles and should be utilized effectively.
• While Work Boards currently serve as custodians, efforts should be made to enhance their functionality.
• The leadership of the JUH could have a significant impact on the improvement of Awqaf management.
• Each state should file petitions for conducting surveys of Awqaf properties.
• Awqaf Mutawalis act as managers, not owners, of these properties, emphasizing the need for responsible stewardship.
• Establishment of a National Waqf Custodian and Development Corporation is essential for effective oversight and development of Awqaf assets.
• Proper registration of Awqaf properties is crucial for transparency and legal protection.
• The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, as demonstrated in Gujarat, can be a successful approach for Awqaf management.
• The "3 Ms" - Men-Power, Mental-Power, and Money-Power - are vital resources for the sustainable development of Awqaf properties.
• Incorporating discussions on Awqaf into Friday Sermons at Masjids can raise awareness and support for Awqaf initiatives.
• Collaboration with various Maktaba-i-Fikr can facilitate collective planning and action for the improvement of Awqaf properties.
• Safeguarding Awqaf assets is the first step towards their development and utilization for community benefit.
• Establishing a parallel pressure and monitoring group, potentially under a new name, can enhance oversight and accountability in Awqaf management.

These considerations underscore the importance of strategic planning, community engagement, awareness-building, legal compliance, and proactive measures to safeguard and optimize the utilization of Awqaf properties for the benefit of the Muslim community.

An Autonomous Body/Committee has been established under the patronage of Maulana Mahmood A. Madani, focusing on Waqf reformation. The committee comprises the following members:

1. Mr. Akramul Jabbar Khan (Convenor)
2. Mr. Ovais Sultan Khan (Co-Convenor)
3. Maulana Niaz A. Farooqui (Member)
4. Mr. Fuzail Ayyubi (Member)
5. Mr. Muhammad Tahir M. Hakim (Member)
6. Mr. Farid Tungekar (Member)
7. Mr. Afzal Mohammad Safvi Farooqui (Member)
8. Mr. Saif Ali Naqvi (Member)
9. Mr. Rauf Rahim (Member)
10. Mr. MJ Akbar (Member)
11. Mufti Ataur Rahman Qasmi (Member)
12. Mr. Nisar Ahmed (Member)
13. Mr. MR Shamshad (Member)
14. Mr. Iqbal M. Shaikh (Member)
15. Parvez Bari (Special Invitee)

The committee aims to address key issues related to Waqf management and governance, with a diverse group of individuals contributing their expertise and insights.

Mr. Ovais Sultan Khan, Advisor of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, shared the concluding remarks. Maulana Hakeemuddin Qasmi, General Secretary of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, extended a vote of thanks to all participants for their commitment to Waqf reformation.

This initiative signifies a collaborative effort to drive positive change and enhance the effectiveness of Waqf institutions for the benefit of the community.