New Delhi

All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council has supported the proposed amendments to the Waqf Board Act which seek to limit the powers of these bodies and make them gender inclusive.

Speaking at a Press Conference, Syed Naseeruddin Chishty, Chairman of All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council, an umbrella body for Sufis in India, said: “All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council strongly supports the amendments (to the Act) that are being proposed by this Government. There is a desperate need for it.”

The AISSC has been demanding the amendments for a long time. “The Dargahs hold the maximum stakes, and our demands should be met. We strongly believe that the Government will present the Bill in favour of Muslims,” Chishty said, adding, that the people should not spread false information and must wait to see the provisions of the bill first as and when the government presents it in the Parliament.

The dargahs are required to allocate 7% of their properties to the Waqf board. The AlSSC has been urging the government to establish a separate Dargah board, citing that their unique traditions are often misunderstood or deemed anti-Sharia by the Waqf board.

Highlighting their diverse following, the management of the dargah insists on a distinct position in the amended bill. The council has also demanded that the office of the Sajjadanashin be clearly defined as a hereditary position.

"We advocate for the collective income of the Dargah and the Waqf to be utilized for the betterment of the community," they stated.

The Sufi leader said it would be wise to thoroughly study the bill first and then form an opinion, rather than expressing views and raising demands even before its draft is available.

He said there is a need to participate in understanding the bill rather than falsely accusing anyone.

AISSC members meeting Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju

“There has been a lot of corruption within the waqf board which needs to be checked. The government will only work for the betterment of the Muslims,” he said, asking leaders not to “politicize the move.”

He also said that the council has given a copy of their representation to the Minister of Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju.

The press conference was also attended by Ghulam Najmi Farooqi Nayeb, Sajjadanashin Dargah Sufi Kamaluddin Sahab, Rajasthan; Abdul Qadhar Qadri, National Coordinator of AISSC, Hyderabad; Syed Ali Zaki Hussaini, Dargah Ghulbargah Shareef, Karnataka; Fareed Ahmed Nizami Sahab Sajjadanashin Dargah Nizamuddin Auliya, Delhi; Arshad Faridi Nayab Sajjadanashin Dargah. Fatehpur Sikri.

On August 5, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju held a meeting with a delegation of the AISSC comprising the prominent Sajjadanashins from various dargahs across the country.

"Last evening a delegation of the All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council (AISSC) comprising of the most revered and prominent Sajjadanashins from various Dargahs across India met me under the leadership of Syed Naseruddin Chishty, Chairman and Successor of the present spiritual head of Ajmer Dargah to discuss a range of important issues concerning the Muslim community," Kiren Rijiju said in a post on X on Tuesday.

Last evening a delegation of the All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council (AISSC) comprising of the most revered & prominent Sajjadanashins from various Dargahs across India met me under the leadership of Shri Syed Naseruddin Chishty, Chairman & Successor of the Present Spiritual… pic.twitter.com/Pzjzpg1tgh

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) August 6, 2024

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Though the draft of the proposed bill is not in the public domain, government sources said one of the key proposed amendments is the mandatory registration of Waqf properties with the District Collector's office, allowing for proper evaluation and monitoring.

Additionally, the amendments aim to enhance inclusivity by ensuring women's representation on both the Central Waqf Council and state Waqf boards.