Mangaluru: Ulemas of coastal districts held a rally in Mangaluru opposing the central govt's Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (UMEED) Bill (Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024), on Sunday.
Muslim scholars, holding a protest march from Milagres to the Clock Tower, urged the Centre to withdraw the Bill immediately, alleging that the move is a conspiracy to snatch the powers of Muslims over waqf properties in the nation. Addressing the protest, Ulema Coordination Karnataka treasurer Shafi Saadi said that Muslims were demanding the rights granted by the Constitution.
"This fight is not against anyone. It is for our Sharia rights, and no one can suppress our struggle. Why is the govt eyeing the properties given to us by our ancestors? The govt's role is to carry out development work, provide jobs to the unemployed, and foster harmony among all. Instead, you are creating controversies over issues like the hijab, waqf, CAA, and NRC," he said, asking what benefit the govt gains from this.
UK Abdul Aziz Darimi Chokkabettu, secretary of the Ulema Co-ordination Karnataka, said they came for the protest even while fasting to claim their rights. "No one can stop us as we are gathered here to speak the truth. The amendment is intended to invalidate the waqf. The govt's current intention is not to reform the waqf but to eliminate it. Why do you keep trapping us in one problem after another? The waqf amendment is a conspiracy against the Muslims of the country, and it is a hidden agenda. The central govt, which sold airports and ports to private entities, is now eyeing the waqf," he said.
"Maharaja of Mysore Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar gave land for mosques, and Tipu Sultan gave land for temples. Muslims did not surrender to the Portuguese, Dutch, British, or French who ruled this land," he added.
Ulema Co-ordination Karnataka secretary MSM Abdur Rasheed Zaini Kamil Sakhafi and SKSSF state general secretary Anees Kousari also spoke. Sayyed Ismail Thangal Ujire presided over.