The All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board has come forward to strongly support the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, applauding the Narendra Modi-led government for taking steps no previous administration had attempted. The bill, which sparked extensive debate in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha before being cleared by Parliament earlier this week, aims to bring reforms to the functioning of the Waqf boards across India, with a focus on transparency, accountability, and better utilisation of Waqf properties.

Shaista Amber, President of the All India Muslim Women’s Personal Law Board, publicly commended the government, saying the bill addresses long-standing concerns regarding the management and misuse of Waqf land. She also emphasised the need to ensure women’s rights in the process.

“No Government Worked for Muslims Like This Before”

In a statement to ANI, Amber criticised earlier political administrations and religious leaders for failing to take necessary action to reform Waqf management. “Positive work should be done. Those who donate to the Waqf, their intention is that their donation will be used for the poor… But it was not happening,” she said. While she clarified that not all Waqf lands were misused, she firmly stated that the Waqf boards failed to function honestly and did not fulfill their responsibilities.

She urged the central government to ensure that the provisions of the newly enacted bill are implemented in a way that benefits the underprivileged and reflects the original charitable intent behind Waqf donations. “We expect and request from the government that if the bill has come, the Waqf lands be used for the poor section with full transparency. None of the governments to date worked for the Muslims, and they just did the politics for votes,” she added.

Calls for Action Against Encroachment and Demand for Women’s Rights

Amber made a direct appeal to the BJP-led central government to reclaim illegally encroached Waqf lands and take strict action against those responsible. She urged the authorities to initiate investigations where needed and ensure accountability across all levels of the Waqf administration.

“We request the BJP government to provide the rights of women and bring transparency to the Waqf board,” she said. “What other parties did till now, were they asleep? I request the current government that whatever happened to date, they should now help free the lands of Waqf, which have been illegally encroached, an investigation must be done, and action must be taken against the culprits.”

Amber also proposed that housing should be constructed on Waqf properties for divorced Muslim women, highlighting the importance of empowering women within the community through access to secure shelter and social support.

Past Advocacy and Political Backdrop

Shaista Amber’s advocacy for better management of Waqf lands is not new. She had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August 2017 and raised concerns about the unlawful occupation of Waqf properties. At that time, she had urged the government to take concrete steps to liberate such properties from illegal control and use them for community welfare.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 has triggered significant political debate, particularly among opposition parties within the INDIA bloc, who opposed the bill during its passage in Parliament. Nevertheless, the government defended the bill as a necessary reform to combat corruption, increase transparency, and ensure rightful utilisation of charitable assets held by the Waqf boards.

A Shift in Discourse Around Waqf Reforms

The endorsement by the All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board marks a significant moment in the discourse around Waqf reforms. With the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, the focus has now shifted to implementation. Shaista Amber’s support adds a strong voice from within the Muslim community, particularly from women’s leadership, urging the government to act on its promises and ensure the effective and transparent use of Waqf resources. The demand for justice, especially for women and the poor, remains at the heart of this call for accountability.