Will not allow Waqf properties to get converted into business hubs says Darakhshan Andrabi

Srinagar : Chairperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf board, Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi has said that there is no place for the self-styled committees in shrines as Waqf will never allow its properties to get converted in individual business hubs.

In an exclusive interview with CNS, Andrabi said that Waqf has taken overall control of all shrines and other Muslim Waqf (donated) properties J&K after Waqf Act, 1995, was extended to the UT.

She further added that under the provisions of the Central Waqf Act self-styled local Auqaf committee or management are having no legal standing in JK now. However, she clarified that the order doesn’t apply to the local Mohalla Intezamia Committees and the Anjuman-e-Auqaf Jamia Masjid which manages the historic Jamia Mosque of Srinagar She further clarified that the order doesn’t apply to the local Masjid committees or Shia Auqaf.

In response to a question about the donation boxes in shrines, Andrabi said that the sanctity of these worship places was being spoiled as some unauthorized people were asking for donations on behalf of these places.

Most of the share used to go into their pockets only. However, by organizing system of donation in these shrines by Waqf board, the income of Waqf has increased despite political parties tried their best to politicize this positive initiative.

About Cancer hospital project in Srinagar, she said that a huge chunk of Waqf land, which is near about 700 kanals in Eidgah is available from which the encroachment will be removed and about 80 kanals of land will be kept for the cancer hospital so that the poor and needy people will get some respite. “This is the time when a cancer hospital has to come up and if the step is not taken at this juncture, it can never be taken in the future, “she added.

Over the Waqf’s decision to remove bottlenecks in development of Waqf properties, Andrabi said that the shrines are “only meant for performing religious obligations and making the religious places political platform will not be allowed at any cost”. “The people visit these shrines to get peace, pray and get blessings. To keep the sanctity of these religious places, it has been decided that no political leader should be allowed to make it a political platform,” she said.

Meanwhile, Dr Andrabi appealed to the people to cooperate with the Board so that they will be able to establish projects including Medical college into a productive organization working for the revival of the spiritual traditions and creating a social service sector out of sources.(CNS)