Kohima Masjid Committee leaders addressing press conference in Kohima on April 23. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | April 23
Kohima Masjid Committee (KMC) on Wednesday expressed resentment over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.
Addressing a press conference at Kohima Jame Masjid premises, KMC leaders including its president Faizur Rahman and vice president Maklisure Rahman registered protest against the Waqf Amendment Act and called for repealing of the Act.
Komrul Islam Laskar, PRO to KMC said the Muslims in Kohima are in solidarity with the rest of the Muslim brothers across the nation who are affected by Act and hence decided to organise the press briefing to express their resentment.
Giving a brief introduction, Laskar said the word Waqf originates from the Arabic word 'Waqufa' which relates to donation of property, assets by individuals as charity for wellbeing of the Muslim society.
He added that the assets or property can only be used for running mosques, hospitals, madrassas, institutions, public utility spaces, etc and for which the Waqf Board was established in 1995 to manage and streamline properties donated by individuals.
Maintaining that charity or selfless donation is at the heart of the practice of Islam, Laskar mentioned that as enshrined under Article 26 of the Indian Constitution, every religious denomination has the right to establish and maintain institutions for religious and charitable purposes.
He, meanwhile, clarified that Muslims in Nagaland are not affected by any amendment or the Waqf Board because there are neither Waqf properties nor board in Nagaland.
Nevertheless, the KMC is obligated to express sympathy for Muslim brothers all over India affected by the Act, he asserted.
Laskar also stated that passing of the Act in the Parliament is violation of constitutional rights and also of freedom of religious denomination to manage their own affairs.
Also addressing the media, social activist Talha and member KMC stated that the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 introduced several provisions that raise serious question about fairness, inclusivity and constitutional validity.
He also raised concern over the changes in the composition of Waqf council board and questioned the provision that allows non-Muslims to be members of the Waqf Board.
He added that the Act directly violates Article 14- Equality before law, Article 15- Prohibition of discrimination on the ground of religions, Article 25- Freedom of religion, Article 26- Freedom to manage religious affairs and Article 29- Safeguard the cultural and educational rights of minorities.
The KMC urged the government to reconsider the Act and engage in meaningful dialogue with Muslim community leaders, scholars and stakeholders to revise contentious provisions ensuring constitutional guarantees.
