Wakf Board accused of targeting Telangana dargahs

Hyderabad: Representatives of seven Islamic organisations, including the Sunni United Forum, have alleged that the Andhra Pradesh State Wakf Board and its special officer, Mohammed Iqbal, are deliberately targeting dargahs in Telangana by foisting false charges on the mutawallis (caretakers of Wakf properties).

Speaking at the Press Club, Basheerbagh, the representatives, some also from the Association of Wakf Mutawallis, alleged on Monday, that the lion’s share of Wakf properties has been encroached upon by Government and private parties, and the Wakf Board is turning a blind eye to this, even as it files false cases against dargahs run by a section of the Muslim community.

The Wakf Board has taken action against allegedly corrupt mutawallis of late, including Faisal Ali Shah of Dargah Yousufain at Nampally.  Jamia Nizamia chancellor Mufti Khaleel Ahmed said that mutawallis are entitled to one-third of profits from Wakf properties under Sharia law, and the Wakf Board cannot ignore this fact. “Mutawallis are the legal guardians of Wakf property. They cannot be removed from their post,” he said.

The representatives said that the special officer of the Wakf Board is politically motivated and influenced by land grabbers and encroachers.

“There is also corruption in other institutions like mosques, Ashoorkhana Musafirkhana, and business establishments under the Wakf Board. However, no action has been taken against them so far,” said Maulana Syed Quadri.

He added that most of the recent cases pursued by the Wakf Board were dismissed by the court, which indicates that the actions were taken in haste and without proper legal basis.