On August 21, 2025, the All India Muslim Women Association (AIMWA) held a women’s conference at the India Islamic Cultural Centre in New Delhi to oppose the Waqf Amendment Act 2025. The event, held under the guidance of Maulana Ubaidullah Khan Azmi, Vice President of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, brought together senior politicians, lawyers, activists, and community leaders. The conference was presided over by former MP Mohammed Adeeb, who is also the president of Indian Muslims for Civil Rights (IMCR).
Speakers at the conference said the Act was a direct interference in the constitutional and religious rights of Muslims. They argued that the amendment would weaken the protection of mosques, graveyards, and other waqf properties, opening them up to encroachment. The gathering saw a strong response from Muslim women, who voiced their determination to protect waqf institutions.
Dr. Asma Zehra, President of AIMWA, said that protecting waqf is essential for the survival of the community. “This law is not about empowerment but about weakening our social, educational, and economic foundations. Waqf has existed since the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him). It sustains our mosques, schools, hospitals, graveyards, and Eidgahs. More than 40% of waqf donations in history were made by women. Protecting waqf is about protecting our existence in this country,” she said.
Mrs. Fauzia Khan, Member of Parliament from Maharashtra, spoke about the dangers of the amendment. “The application of the Limitation Act to waqf properties will lead to encroachments. This struggle is a long one, but women have always played a crucial role in building societies. We must take lessons from women achievers in history and continue this fight,” she said.
Social activist Professor V.K. Tripathi described the amendment as “draconian,” adding, “This law casts doubt on Muslim religious properties. There are lakhs of villages in India where mosques exist. Protecting them is crucial, and even non-Muslims, especially temple authorities, must join this struggle. At the same time, corporate giants are eyeing land, which makes this issue even more dangerous.”
Other speakers, including senior advocate Salman Khurshid, SDPI vice president Mohammed Shafi, and Mumtaz Patel, daughter of the late Ahmed Patel, also expressed strong opposition. Khurshid said the matter is already before the Supreme Court and urged the community to stay hopeful. “We saw relief in cases like the Aligarh Muslim University case and the UP madarsa case. Awareness in society is as important as the legal battle,” he said.
Participants repeatedly stressed that Muslim women were at the forefront of this struggle. “Our love for masajid and waqf has brought us here. We will take this message to our localities, villages, and towns. Women have the power to create awareness and lead the movement,” said Afroze Fatima, Vice President of AIMWA.
The conference ended with a resolution to continue peaceful resistance and expand awareness campaigns across the country.
