The Joint Committee Against the Inclusion of Non-Muslim Members in the 8th Waqf Board, Manipur (JCAINMM-WB), submitted a memorandum to the concerned authorities on August 20, opposing the inclusion of non-Muslim members in the newly constituted 8th Waqf Board, Manipur.
Following the submission of the memorandum, the committee held a press meet at the Manipur Press Club, Imphal. All Manipur Ulama Council president and JCAINMM-WB chairman Mv Ataur Rahman, AMMSO president and JCAINMM-WB convenor Mayum Manoj Khan, MMWO vice-president and JCAINMM-WB co-convenor Md Achouba, UMPYO Manipur president and JCAINMM-WB organiser Riyajuddin Bogimayum, MSA HQ president Ph Ijuj Ahamed and representatives of various Pangal organisations attended the press meet.
According to the memorandum, a meeting of religious bodies, civil society organisations (CSOs) and student organisations of the Pangal community was held on August 6 at Golapati Community Hall, Hatta, Imphal, to deliberate on the inclusion of non-Muslim members in the newly constituted Waqf Board.
The meeting expressed concern and opposition to the inclusion of non-Muslim members and unanimously adopted four resolutions.
The first resolution urged the government to review the notification issued on August 3 regarding the constitution of the 8th Waqf Board, stating that the inclusion of non-Muslim members is an optional provision under the law and not an absolute mandate.
The second resolution called for the reconstitution of the board with technical and legal experts from the Pangal community, citing the need for specialized knowledge of Waqf jurisprudence and Islamic land law in administering Waqf properties.
The committee also stated in its third resolution that Waqf assets are religious endowments made by Muslim forefathers for religious purposes and community welfare. It alleged that appointing non-Muslim members to specialize positions could sideline qualified professionals from the Pangal community and undermine minority empowerment and institutional autonomy.
In its fourth resolution, the committee urged the Government of Manipur to review the inclusion of non-Muslim members and, wherever legally permissible and necessary, make appropriate changes and fill vacant positions to ensure the constitution of a fully functional and effective Waqf Board.