The WAQF Amendment Bill 2025 - rebranded as UMEED ‘Unified Management Empowerment Efficiency and Development’ recently got passed in the Parliament after hours of debate. UMEED amends the WAQF Act that governs the management of properties donated by Muslims. The Waqf Board regulates and manages properties dedicated to religious and charitable purposes in India. The WAQF Act 1995 has long governed religious endowments in India. However, UMEED proposes big changes to the Waqf Act. What’s new? What’s controversial? Why is this bill being opposed? Take a look.

Amid the ongoing controversy over the WAQF Amendment Bill, 2025, All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board extended support to the Bill. All India Muslim Women`s Personal Law Board President Shaista Amber on April 05 said “Positive work should be done. Earlier governments and religious leaders should have taken the step that the government has taken today... Those who donate to the Waqf, their intention is that their donation will be used for the poor...But it was not happening. It`s not that all the Waqf lands were misused, but the Waqf board didn`t work honestly and did not do what they should have. 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 govt to date worked for the Muslims, and they just did the politics for votes. We request the BJP govt to provide the rights of women and bring transparency to the Waqf board. 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...,” said Shaista Amber.