New Delhi: The Union Minority Affairs Minister, Kiren Rijiju, introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha on August 8th. These proposed amendments have faced significant opposition from various stakeholders, including community leaders, activists, and legal experts. A joint parliamentary committee has been formed to review the bills and has invited public input.
In response to concerns surrounding the Waqf Amendment Bill, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) released an explainer. One of the claims made by the PIB was that several Islamic countries, including Turkey, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Tunisia, and Iraq, do not have Waqf properties. This claim was widely shared on social media.
However, upon investigation, the PIB’s claim was found to be inaccurate. Research conducted by Alt News revealed that Waqf properties are indeed present in all of the mentioned Islamic countries. Government websites and official documents confirm the existence and management of Waqf endowments in these nations.
For instance, in Turkey, the Directorate General of Foundations under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism oversees Waqf properties. Similar government bodies manage Waqf matters in Libya and Egypt.
In Jordan, the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs handles these affairs, while Lebanon’s Dar Al-Fatwa supervises Waqf-related matters. Iraq even has separate offices for Sunni and Shia Waqfs, each managing their respective endowments.
