Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 2: During the discussion on Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament, Union Minister of Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju today praised Chairperson of J&K Waqf Board, Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi for her transformation in J&K Waqf Board, in past three years, when for the first time ever J&K got its first Board under Central Waqf Act in 2022.
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Dr Darakhshan became the first female Chairperson of any Waqf Board ever and her tenure along with her team of newly appointed well educated team of Board Members bulldozed the old ailing Waqf management system in J&K which was full of loop-holes and leakages, and there was no development of the shrines and mosques.
Dr Andrabi amid huge criticism from the politicians who used to manipulate Waqf assets and revenues and other beneficiaries, reformed the whole system and ushered in a new era of development and transformation in Waqf in whole of J&K.
Darakhshan today expressed her gratitude to the Union Minister for praising her for the exceptional work done by J&K Waqf Board in the JKUT. “This is the endorsement of our dedicated work and the Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has infused in us all energy beyond words. Team Waqf J&K has worked hard and God willing the transformative work will go on with more zeal and dedication”, Dr Andrabi said.
Meanwhile, countering the criticism of opposition parties, Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi, said that the Waqf Amendment Bill aims to improve the socio-economic well-being of Muslims across the country.
She said the legislation raises a critical question: why are Muslims poor and homeless despite Waqf Boards possessing enormous properties?
“The Waqf Bill solely focuses on the betterment of Muslims, highlighting why they remain poor and landless despite these boards owning vast properties. The Minister also questioned why, if the J&K Waqf Board can effectively work for the welfare of the people, other boards across the country are not doing the same,” she said.
The Chairperson emphasized that the proposed amendments are aimed at the progress of Muslims, which can be ensured if Waqf Boards across the country put their properties to good use.
Responding to the opposition’s criticism that the Bill is “anti-Muslim,” Dr. Andrabi dismissed the allegations, stating that she found nothing in the Bill that could be interpreted as such.
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