Pune: State level WAQF awareness seminar in Pune sets its vision for 2023
Pune, 26th October 2022: A day long state level waqf awareness programme was held at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Bhavan on Oct 21 where a number of social organisations and NGO working for the recovering Waqf properties from illegal encroachers participated in the conference. The conference was also aimed at creating about documentation process for waqf work and how to utilized waqf properties worth crores of rupees for the socio-economic development of the muslim community. Amongst those present during the programme were Maharashtra Wakf Board member Dr Mudassir Lambe , prominent social workers Farid Tungekar , Usman Tamboli, Zakir Shikalgar, Nadeem Mujawar.
Maharashtra Waqf Liberation and Protection Task Force, a national level waqf organization President Saleem Mulla said “ Systematic attempts were made by some very powerful and educated vested interests from muslim community to sabotage the waqf programme which is aimed at empowering the nation. However, due to tremendous support from the people, the waqf programme became successful in Pune. There is a big nexus of corrupt trustees, lawyers, businessmen, real estate agents, encroachers and unknown government officials who are working round the clock to dismantle the good work of waqf in Pune for commercial and selfish gains at the cost of the community . We will expose this racket and ensure that some of the top level educational institutions, schools, hospitals and skill development centres and community centres are established for the progress and development of not only muslim but all other communities. We have found that the biggest threat to waqf work is from the land mafia and also from a section of rogue elements of the community who have aligned with the criminals and corrupt elements and don’t want to see the progress of the community. However, a large section of the community has come to know the importance of waqf development and education ,” he said.
Mulla further explained that the waqf awareness conference has set its vision of 2030 by which the community in Pune has to start its National Skills University for Muslims , Multi Speciality Hospital, A dozen English medium schools, Scholarship programmes, skill development centres and a series of initiatives aimed at social and economic empowerment of the city muslims. Amongst the other participating organisations included Waqf Liason Forum, Auqaf Trustees Association, Shaheen Academy, Olive Organisation, Dar E Arqam, Iqra Education Society and Idara Aima E Masjid. Mulla in his address thanked all the participating organisations for their support and urged them to ask tough questions to the authorities without any fear for bringing out corruption and immorality in operation in waqf related work. Earlier, the waqf activists had urged the Maharashtra Director General of Police (DGP) to constitute a special police team to deal with waqf land grabbers and their supporters.
