India’s Supreme Court Suspends Provisions of Waqf Act

(MENAFN) India’s Supreme Court on Monday temporarily halted at least two significant provisions of the Waqf Act, which regulates Islamic charitable endowments, referred to as waqf.

These provisions had sparked protests across various regions of the country and led to a legal campaign against what critics called "unjust legislation."

The court delivered its order in response to petitions contesting the amendments to the Waqf Act, which were passed earlier this year by both houses of parliament despite strong opposition from rival parties and Muslim organizations.

A Supreme Court bench, consisting of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih, chose not to block all the modifications in the act but temporarily suspended certain clauses.

Among these was a provision stating that "only those who are practising Islam for the last five years can create a waqf," according to a news outlet.

Additionally, the court stayed powers previously granted to the top district official (collector), who had the authority to make decisions regarding Waqf properties.

Waqf properties, contributed by Muslims for religious or charitable objectives, encompass mosques, graveyards, seminaries, orphanages, schools, markets, and extensive parcels of land across India.

The judges declined to prevent the appointment of a non-Muslim as a chief executive officer of any Waqf. However, they ruled that the number of non-Muslims on state waqf boards and central waqf councils cannot exceed three.

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