Waqf in India: Reflecting on Change and Global Lessons
- Hinduinfopedia
- Apr 14, 2025
- 2 min read
Origins of Giving
Waqf began as Mughal charity, supporting sacred spaces. By 1950, British laws like the 1913 Act oversaw ~52,000 acres loosely. This legacy shaped India’s modern waqf journey, blending faith and law, as the nation sought to balance religious endowments with governance.
Evolving Rules
The 1954 Act birthed Waqf Boards, scaling to 6 lakh acres (2006, Sachar). The 1995 and 2013 Acts eased claims, reaching 9.4 lakh acres (2025, WAMSI), not the debated 39 lakh. These shifts gave boards power but invited scrutiny over fairness, as waqf’s growth often clashed with diverse land rights.
Points of Tension
Claims in Tamil Nadu’s villages, Bet Dwarka, Kerala’s Munambam, and Delhi’s CGO Complex stirred debate. Hindu properties, including temples, in disputes prompted non-Muslim board roles—unique versus Muslim nations—to balance claims, yet challenges remain. These conflicts reflect the need for governance that respects all communities.
Global Insights
Turkey’s state agencies lock out clerics, using secular courts. Malaysia’s councils blend state and religious input, courts checking power. Saudi Arabia’s state aligns religious courts, allowing appeals. Pakistan’s state waqfs sideline religious roles. India’s 2025 reforms, with audits, lean state-ward but defer to religious tribunals, unlike Turkey’s firm grip, showing a gap in state authority.
Future Paths
Waqf’s spiritual core—prayer, almsgiving, mosque endowments—is Muslim-led. Governance now sees state audits, but tribunals’ sway lags behind Malaysia’s court model. Embracing global clarity could ensure waqf fosters unity, not division, across India’s diverse tapestry, aligning with international standards of fairness and transparency.
Drawing Inspiration
Turkey’s secular control offers a model for India to reduce tribunal power. Malaysia’s balanced courts show how to integrate faith and oversight, a path for India’s 2025 reforms. Pakistan’s state dominance minimizes disputes, while Saudi Arabia’s appeals ensure accountability. India can learn from these systems to strengthen waqf governance.
A Harmonious Vision
Waqf’s religious acts remain Muslim rights, but governance must reflect India’s diversity. The 2025 amendment, with audits, is a step, but tribunal influence persists. By adopting Malaysia’s court balance or Turkey’s state clarity, India can make waqf a unifying force, ensuring endowments serve all while honoring their spiritual roots.
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