News:The UP Sunni Waqf Board has decided to surrender its claim on the disputed Ayodhya site.
Facts:
What is a waqf?
- Waqf is the property given in the name of God for religious and charitable purposes.
- In legal terms,permanent dedication by a person professing Islam of any movable or immovable property for any purpose recognised by the Muslim law as pious, religious or charitable.
How is waqf created?
- A waqf can be formed through a deed or instrument, or a property can be deemed waqf if it has been used for religious or charitable purposes for a long period of time.
- The proceeds are typically used to finance educational institutions, graveyards, mosques and shelter homes.
- A person creating the waqf cannot take back the property and the waqf would be a continuing entity.
How is waqf governed?
- Waqfs in India are governed by the Wakf Act, 1995.
- A survey commissioner under the Act lists all properties declared as waqf by making local investigation, summoning witnesses and requisitioning public documents.
- The waqf is managed by a mutawalli who acts as a supervisor.It is similar to a trust established under the Indian Trusts Act,1882.
- But trusts can be set up for a broader purpose than religious and charitable uses. A trust established can also be dissolved by the board unlike a waqf.
What is a Waqf Board?
- A Waqf Board is a juristic person with power to acquire and hold property and to transfer any such property.
- The board can sue and be sued in a court as it is recognised as a legal entity or juristic person.
- Each state has a Waqf Board headed by a chairperson with one or two nominees from the state government.
Powers of waqf board:
- The Waqf Board has powers under the law to administer the property and take measures for the recovery of lost properties of any waqf.
- The waqf can also sanction any transfer of immovable property of a waqf by way of sale, gift, mortgage, exchange or lease.
- However, the sanction shall not be given unless at least two thirds of the members of the Waqf Board vote in favour of such transaction.
