Waqf Amendment Act 2025 | Hyderabad, Sept 15: Telangana State Waqf Board Chairman Syed Azmathullah Hussaini welcomed the Supreme Court’s interim order on the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, calling it a partial victory for the community on Monday.
Addressing mediapersons in his chamber, Hussaini expressed gratitude to the Supreme Court both personally and on behalf of the Board.
He said the judiciary has upheld the community’s faith and confidence in the legal system while hearing the case. “This success is the result of collective efforts,” he remarked.
The Chairman noted that “With this order, the Supreme Court has stayed the powers of the Collector; protected existing Waqf properties from dubious challenges“, which is a “significant win.”
He also stressed that if such powers had instead been granted to district collectors, the situation would have been “completely contrary to expectations.”
Azmathullah expressed satisfaction that the Supreme Court did not stay the controversial provision allowing a non-Muslim to serve as CEO of the State Waqf Board, though the court observed that, as far as possible, a Muslim person should be appointed.
Waqf Amendment Act 2025
At the same time, he pointed out that the SC has stayed certain provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 that were under challenge, including the five-year requirement of practising Islam for creating a waqf. “We will challenge this further, as well as the provision allowing state governments to decide whether a person is a practising Muslim,” he said.
On the issue of ‘waqf-by-user’, Hussaini and the elected board Member Abul Fateh Syed Bandagi Badesha Quadri said they was not fully satisfied with the interim order and that the Board would examine it closely. “We will conduct a detailed study of the order, hold a board meeting, and, if necessary, approach the court again with a fresh application,” he announced.
When asked about the possibility of the Board being dissolved under the new Act, Hussaini replied, “We will wait for the government’s update on the Act. Based on that, the government will take a decision.” As a matter of fact, in view of Section 14 of the Waqf amendment 2025, the Board has to be re constituted with all nominated members in compliance with the new clauses incorporated excluding elected members.
Hussaini also strongly criticized the move to involve non-Muslims in the affairs of waqf. “When Muslims are not included in Hindu Endowment Boards or Christian Boards, imposing a non-Muslim in Muslim waqf affairs is an act of injustice,” he said.
Umeed Portal
He further revealed that a statewide campaign will be launched soon on the Umeed portal update, after consulting legal experts, officials, and political leaders.
Abul Fateh Syed Bandagi Badesha Quadri stated, “As law-abiding citizens, we must respect the court’s order. At the same time, there is sufficient opportunity to approach higher or full bench courts whenever required.”
He emphasized that Waqf land remains always Waqf and its status cannot be altered. He warned land grabbers to stay vigilant and urged the Mutawalli brothers to prepare for a large-scale campaign to update records on the UMEED portal.
Waqf Amendment Act 2025 | limitation aspect
On limitation aspect, Quadri further said that any action based on fraud, misrepresentation, or deception, or any order obtained through fraudulent means, will confer no rights and will be considered void ab initio, rendering all consequential actions null and void.
He also appealed to the managing committees of Waqf institutions to register their titles with the relevant authorities and upload them on the UMEED portal.
Further, he noted that in the absence of a CEO, the Waqf Board is falling behind. With the appointment of a CEO experienced in revenue matters, the formation of rules and regulations will become possible. The Division Bench of High Court is expected to deliver a verdict soon on CEO Asadullah’s appeal.
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