The News Craving
Newscraving Desk:
Srinagar, Dec 18: The Jammu and Kashmir Wakf Board has taken over the control of mosques in Kashmir and abolished the local Auqaf Committees.
The authorities have said that the affairs of all the local mosques will be run by the Wakf Board instead of privately constituted committees. Sources said that they have been asked to take over the management of all the mosques which have been constructed “on government land and are thus deemed to be Wakf properties.”
Wakf officials said that government is looking at proper regulation and will devise a “management policy for the same.”
Officials said that an order in this regard was issued here by the Chief Executive Officer of the Wakf Board.
Tehsildar Wakf Board, Ishtiyaq Mohidin, confirmed that an order warning of running of Wakf Committees at the local mosques has been issued by the CEO.
The order said that in “pursuance to Waqf Act, 199 extended to Jammu & Kashmir (UT)” and with the constitution of new J&K Waqf Board” it “has taken overall control/management of all the Shrines/Ziarats including other Assets/Properties under the Muslim Specified Waqf in whole UT of Jammu & Kashmir.”
“No Association/Self-styled Local Auqaf Committee/Management have any legal standing under the provisions of the Central Waqf Act, and no such Committee has any kind of registration of validation from J&K Waqf Board.”
The authorities said that “ it is hereby notified that all the local Waqf/Auqaf Committees shall be deemed as void ab-initio throughout J&If & any hind of interference by such local Waqf Committees be reckoned illegal & to invite action under Law on all the Waqf Units managed by J&K Waqf Board.”
“Therefore all the Government Departments & the general public is informed that any communication/decision of any such local committee at any Waqf Unit may not be entertained. This order is issued to ensure smooth, systematic, transparent & legally viable management system at all the Waqf Units throughout J&K,” an order read.