Protect Wakf assets while maintaining harmony: KSMC

Hameed Ashraf | NT

Bengaluru: Taking a serious note of the encroachments of Wakf properties, the Karnataka State Minorities Commission (KSMC) on Tuesday held a conference to discuss measures to protect them while upholding communal harmony in the state.

The conference organised at the Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation (KMDC) Bhavan in Sheshadripuram, was attended by various dignitaries and Muslim scholars besides the Central Wakf Council members. Speaking on the occasion, Maqsood Imran Rashadi, Imam of Jamia Masjid, said Wakf properties are dedicated properties in the name of Allah.  

"Once a Wakf is always a Wakf. We have noticed many people from our own community trying to encroach upon these properties for their own benefits. With such a mind-set, we cannot go on blaming the government and the authorities," he said. He also added that the need of the hour is patience, education and selflessness.

Quoting the state Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, the Chairman of Haj Committee, Raufuddin Kacheriwalay, claimed that during one such conference, the CM had told him that it was the duty of the Wakf board to protect Wakf properties. "The CM had said that we will provide due support to the Board. The rest is left to God," Raufuddin said.

In the wake of attempts to encroach Wakf properties across the state recently, the people were upset over the lack of prompt action by the Wakf Board in settling cases and securing the properties. The Minority Commission Chairman Abdul Azeem said that until the community is united, it cannot work towards the harmony.

"We have seen instances in our own city where people have killed one another over the issue of presidentship of Msajid and other properties which are endowed in the name of Allah," he said. He asserted that the community did not have an efficient legal team and unity due to which it was failing to protect its belongings. He said that the country had lost 75 per cent of the Wakf land till date.

"The merits, scholarships, health schemes and loan schemes which the Muslims seek from the Minority Corporation come from the Wakf properties which are used for Masjids and Madrasas. When we cannot protect these properties, how can we seek financial aid from those assets?" he asked.

Mr Abdul Azeem suggested the Wakf members and other officials take up a survey of the lands and properties and construct compound walls around them and set up offices in districts to address the grievances of the common people in this regard.