Mumbai: The All India Shia Personal Law Board has voiced concerns about the increasing disrespect of mosques across the country, the protection of Waqf properties, the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict in the Middle East, and the political changes in Syria.
The concerns were raised at a meeting on Thursday presided over by senior members of the board, Maulana Sayam Mehdi and prominent Shia cleric Maulana Yasoob Abbas.
Abbas said, "Mosques are not just places of worship but also symbols of our religion and culture. The disrespect shown towards them hurts our religious sentiments."
Aaj Shia College Victoria Street Lucknow Mein All India Shia Personal Law Board Official Ki Majlis E Amla (Executive Committee) Ka Jalsa Munaqqid Hua Jisme Board Key Zimmedaran Ney Shirkat Karke Mulk wa Qoum Key Maujooda Halat Per Baat Ki.
— Yasoob Abbas (@YasoobMaulana) December 19, 2024
19 December 2024 pic.twitter.com/XdP8UOjkDZ
He further stated that incidents of targeting mosques have increased in recent times, which is a threat to the country's Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb (composite culture). Abbas said that the administration should take a strict stance against such incidents.
The meeting also discussed illegal occupation of Waqf properties and their protection. Maulana Sayam Mehdi said, "The protection of Waqf properties is a collective responsibility. It is the trust of our future generations, which we must protect at all costs."
The board also expressed displeasure over the proceedings of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024. Abbas said that the JPC should take the opinion of organisations that are directly associated with Waqf, not those institutions that have nothing to do with it.
Welcoming the Supreme Court's intervention in cases relating to the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act 1991, Mehdi said, "This decision of the Supreme Court is an important step for the protection of mosques and religious freedom. It will strengthen communal harmony and increase the confidence of the minority community."
The meeting also raised concerns over the situation in the Middle East, Syria, and the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. Abbas said, "The terrorist organisation Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has formed a government in Syria. This government is now led by Abu Muhammad al-Julani, who is a terrorist." He further said, "In such a situation, a serious threat has arisen to the lives of minorities, especially the Shia community, and holy places in Syria."