"Why Muslims continue to be poor?" Indian Sufi Foundation Chief questions mismanagement of Waqf properties

Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh) [India], April 4 (ANI): Kashish Warsi, the National President of the Indian Sufi Foundation, on Friday criticised the mismanagement of Waqf properties and questioned why the substantial wealth of Waqf has not translated into better socio-economic conditions for Muslims over the years.
"PM Modi said that this bill is for welfare. In Parliament, it was mentioned that Waqf owns properties worth crores. If this is true, then why are Muslims still poor? Why didn't the Waqf boards and 'Waqf mafias' utilise these resources to build schools, hospitals, and houses for underprivileged Muslims?" Warsi said while speaking to ANI.
He also challenged those opposing the bill and said, "I want to ask them--why did they remain silent when 'Waqf mafias' were snatching away the rights of poor Muslims?"
The Waqf Amendment Bill, recently passed by Parliament, sparked debates, with several groups opposing it on legal and religious grounds.
Parliament passed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 in the early hours of Friday after a marathon and heated debate.
Rajya Sabha sat beyond midnight to pass the legislation. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said, "Ayes 128 and Noes 95, Absent zero. The Bill is passed." Lok Sabha, which took up discussion on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill on Wednesday, passed it past midnight after a marathon debate.
The government introduced the revised bill after incorporating the recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which examined the legislation introduced in August last year. The bill seeks to amend the Act of 1995 and improve the administration and management of Waqf properties in India.
The bill aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards, improving the registration process and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 will be renamed the UMEED (Unified Waqf Management Empowerment Efficiency and Development) Bill.
Meanwhile, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge attacked the Union government on Friday after the Parliament passed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 and said the government had taken a "negative stand."
"It is their interpretation, we kept our views on the bill in front of them (government). They have taken a negative stand, and they are taking it forward," Kharge told reporters.
The budget session of the Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die on Friday, a day after the passage of the much-debated Waqf Amendment Bill of 2025.
The House will reconvene during the Monsoon session of Parliament, the dates of which have not yet been announced.
Rajya Sabha has also been adjourned till 1:00 PM today. (ANI)