New Delhi: A delegation of influential Muslim religious leaders and scholars from across India met with Union Minority Minister Kiren Rijiju at his residence on Saturday. The delegation, led by Hazrat Syed Naseruddin Chishty, Chairman of the All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council and spiritual head of Ajmer Dargah, discussed pressing issues affecting the Muslim community, particularly concerning Waqf Boards.
The meeting, coordinated by Shehzad Poonawalla, National Spokesperson of the BJP, focused on various concerns of the Muslim community, with a significant emphasis on problems related to Waqf Boards. The delegation presented their grievances and sought government intervention to address these issues. The leaders expressed frustration over the management of Waqf Boards, alleging that they are causing difficulties for the Muslim community nationwide. They called for the establishment of a separate Dargah Board to oversee the affairs of Dargahs and urged the government to take action to prevent the alleged injustices by Waqf Boards.
Additionally, the delegation voiced support for the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) formed by Parliament, which will hear from Dargahs across the country about their issues with Waqf Boards. They welcomed this initiative as a step towards improving management, transparency, and accountability of Waqf properties, ensuring these resources benefit the poorest Muslims and are protected from land grabbing and corruption. Hazrat Syed Naseruddin Chishty suggested the creation of help desks at Muslim religious sites to provide information on government schemes for minorities. He also advocated for the enactment of a separate law to safeguard Dargahs from alleged Waqf Board abuses.
The delegation included notable figures such as Syed Mehranuddin Chishty, Peer Gulam Najmi Farooqi, Munawwar Khan, Haji Mohammed Rafiq (Rajasthan), Javed Khan (Telangana), Abdul Qadir Qadri Wahi (Punjab), Naieem Akhtar, Mohatsham Ali Abu Ulai, Firasat Ali Siddiqui (Uttar Pradesh), Ali Ejaz Qudsi Sabri, Asad Sabri, Shah Gazi Sabri (Uttarakhand), Syed Shah Jakaudin Hussaini (Andhra Pradesh), Javed Majid Parekh, and Turab Darvesh (Maharashtra).
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