Our Objectives:

The Indian Auqaf Foundation believes that a Waqf is created for the overall benefit of the Muslim community and is the prime Islamic institution, as divinely ordained asset.  Therefore, protecting and utilising it for its purpose is the fundamental responsibility of every Muslim.

The Waqf properties are the biggest assets of the Muslim community, which are very badly administered and are in a dismal state of affairs. There is lot of concern in the Muslim community about the illegal occupation and encroachment of the Waqf properties in the country. Though we have Waqf Act (a Central Act)! The Waqf Boards’ in the country are not functioning effectively. The Recent Amendments to the Waqf Act have brought several far reaching changes in the Act for removing encroachments, and streamlining the Waqf administration.  The Central Waqf Council has been given the authority to keep a watch on the functioning of the Waqf Boards with powers to issue directives. Multi Member Waqf Tribunals have to be established by the State Governments to speed up the Waqf litigations.

Despite all these measures no perceptible change has come in the administration and management of the Auqaf in the Country.  The Indian Auqaf Foundation will work towards sensitizing the community and to create public awareness on Auqaf and its benefits to the Muslim Community.    Unless a common Muslim takes interest in the Auqaf and thinks that it is his moral duty to protect the Waqf properties, it is not possible to protect the Auqaf in the country.

India has the largest number of waqf properties in the world. The Prime Minister’s High Level Committee on the Social, Economic and Educational Status of Muslim Community of India (also known as the Sachar Committee) in its Report published in November, 2006, had mentioned that there are more than 4.9 lakhs registered Auqaf spread all over the country but the current annual income from these properties is only about Rs. 163 crores, which amounts to a meagre rate of return of 2.7 per cent.  The total area under Waqf properties all over India as per the Report is estimated at about 6 lakh acres.  The market value of which is about Rs. 1.2 lakh crores.  Many of these Auqaf are on prime urban land and they have the potential of generating an income of Rs.12,000 crore per annum (approx.) for fulfilling objectives of the Auqaf.

The Indian Auqaf Foundation aims to undertake all such initiatives and activities that are necessary for the protection, preservation and development of Waqf properties in India.

The Auqaf in the Country are faced with legal issues and are in number of litigations, it is the vision of the IAF to see litigation free Auqaf in India and to achieve this the organization will extend legal assistance to Mutavallies and Waqf Boards in removing the illegal occupations and encroachments of Waqf properties in their legal cases pending in various Courts and Tribunals and will establish Ombudsman or an Arbitration Council for resolving the Waqf disputes out of Court and promote the commercial development of potential Waqf properties.

The success of any institution lies with the quality of its workforce, unfortunately the Auqaf lacks the qualified, knowledgeable and dedicated workforce.  It is our dream to see the Waqf Institutions and Waqf Boards function effectively on purely professional administrative principles with transparency and accountability and for this IAF will train the staff of Waqf Boards and Waqf Institutions in advanced administrative techniques on the basis of the Waqf Amendment Act 2013 by establishing a Training Institute and will also hold conferences and seminars for educating the community about Auqaf, implementation of Waqf Act etc.

The task is very difficult, but the team of dedicated, experienced and qualified members will strive hard to make this dream come true.   InshaAllah a day will definitely come when the income of the Auqaf will fulfill all the needs of the Muslim Community in India.