Ahmaddiya Muslim Persecution: Centre Denounces Controversial Andhra Waqf Board Resolution As "Hate Campaign"

The Ministry of Minority Affairs has stepped in to address a case of persecution against the Ahmaddiya Muslim community.

Recently, the Andhra Pradesh Waqf Board passed a resolution that labeled the Ahmaddiya community as "kafirs" and declared them as non-Muslims.

Expressing strong concerns, the Ministry of Minority Affairs wrote a letter to the Andhra Pradesh government, denouncing the Waqf Board's resolution as a "hate campaign" that could have far-reaching consequences across the nation.

The Ministry received a representation from the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, stating that certain Waqf Boards have been opposing them and passing illegal resolutions to exclude them from Islam.

In a letter addressed to Chief Secretary Andhra Pradesh K S Jawahar Reddy, the Ministry urged him to intervene in this matter and take appropriate action.

The Ministry's letter emphasised that the actions of the Waqf Board constitute a hate campaign specifically targeting the Ahmadiyya community.

It strongly asserted that the Board does not possess the jurisdiction or authority to determine the religious identity of any community, including the Ahmadiyyas.

“A representation dated 20.7.2023 has been received from the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, vide which it has been stated that certain Waqf Boards have been opposing the Ahmadiyya Community and passing illegal resolutions declaring the community to be outside the fold of Islam,” said the letter, reports Indian Express.

“This constitutes a hate campaign against the Ahmadiyya community at large and the Waqf Board neither has the jurisdiction nor authority to determine religious identity of any community including Ahmadiyyas,” the letter added.

In 2012, the Andhra Pradesh State Waqf Board passed a resolution declaring the entire Ahmadiyya community as non-Muslim. However, this resolution was challenged in the Andhra Pradesh High Court, which issued an order for interim suspension of the resolution.

Despite High Court orders, the Andhra Pradesh Waqf Board (in the present divided state) has issued another proclamation under the signature of its Chairman, the ministry observed.

In February of this year, the Waqf Board passed a resolution stating that “In consequence to the Fatwa of Jamiat Ulema, Andhra Pradesh dated May 26th, 2009, the `Quadiani community’ is proclaimed as `kafir’ and not a Muslim.”

The Ahmadiyyas, a sub-sect of Sunni Muslims, emerged as an Islamic revivalist movement in Punjab in the 19th century.

However, they are often referred to as "Quadianis," which is considered a slur, especially in Pakistan where they have been declared non-Muslims.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat India has expressed their concerns to the Centre, stating that the resolution passed by the Waqf Board is a clear violation of their rights.

They argue that such activities by the Waqf Boards are discriminatory and constitute a hate campaign against them, which is a grave violation of the Waqf Act and Indian law.

The ministry stated in its letter that the Waqf Act, 1995 primarily deals with the administration and management of Waqf properties in India. It clarified that the Act does not grant State Waqf Boards the authority to make such proclamations.

According to the ministry, the State Waqf Board, as a body of the State Government, can issue directions approved by the State Government. However, it does not have the right to consider fatwas issued by non-state actors.

The ministry emphasised that the Waqf Board had exceeded its jurisdiction and has no standing to issue such orders, especially if they may incite animosity and intolerance towards a specific community.

The Ahamadiyyas, a persecuted sect among Muslims, were officially recognised as a sect in Islam during the 2011 Census, with a population of around one lakh.