Authorities Bar MMU Meet on Waqf Amendment, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Expresses Disappointment, Extends Supports to AIMPLB
Srinagar, Apr 9, KNT: Mirwaiz Kashmir, Molvi Muhammad Umar Farooq, on Wednesday, expressed deep disappointment after authorities allegedly prevented an important meeting of the Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) from being held at his Nigeen residence. The meeting was scheduled to discuss the recently passed Waqf Amendment Act, which has triggered concern among religious and community leaders across Jammu and Kashmir.
According to Mirwaiz, prominent religious figures from various parts of the Union Territory—including Jammu, Ladakh, and Kargil—had travelled to Srinagar to attend the MMU session. However, they were not allowed to proceed with the gathering.
“It is unfortunate and deeply ironic that while elected representatives and political parties were allowed to express their opinions on the Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament, religious scholars and institutions in a Muslim-majority region like ours are denied even the basic right to deliberate on such a serious matter,” Mirwaiz said.
He said the aim of the meeting was to peacefully discuss and respond to the amendment through a joint religious and legal perspective. “This act of barring peaceful deliberation by Muslim scholars is not only undemocratic but also reflects the growing constraints on religious freedom and dialogue in the region,” he added.
Despite the restrictions, MMU has decided that the joint resolution—drafted with consensus among its members—will now be publicly read out in mosques and religious congregations across Jammu and Kashmir this coming Friday. The resolution will outline the MMU’s stance on the Waqf Amendment and appeal for community awareness and unity.
In a show of wider solidarity, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also announced MMU’s full support to the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and said it would stand with the Board in any course of action it decides to pursue in response to the Waqf law.
The development comes at a time when concerns are growing in religious and civil society circles over the increasing interference in religious affairs and the shrinking space for institutional dialogue in Jammu and Kashmir. [KNT]
