OIC Must Intervene – India’s Systematic Suppression of Muslim Rights

Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations
Space U8 , Eco Mall , Bukit Jelutong , Shah Alam , Selangor
azmiabdulhamid58@gmail.com
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Press Statement:
March 26 , 2025

The Malaysian Consultative Council for Islamic Organizations (MAPIM) expresses grave concern over the ongoing suppression of Muslim rights in India, particularly regarding the systematic expropriation of waqf (Islamic endowment) properties. The recent revelations about the demolition of a historic mosque and homes in Ujjain to expand the Mahakaleshwar Temple complex highlight a disturbing pattern of state-led encroachment, which is part of a broader strategy to marginalize the Muslim community.

1. Systematic Targeting of Waqf Properties

India possesses the largest waqf assets globally, with over 872,000 properties valued at approximately $14.22 billion. These lands, historically designated for religious and charitable purposes, are now being targeted through legislative amendments and bureaucratic manipulation. The proposed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which allows non-Muslims to be appointed to waqf boards and places waqf land under direct government control, signals a direct attack on Muslim institutions.

2. Violation of Legal and Human Rights

The bulldozing of the century-old Takiya Mosque and the forced eviction of hundreds of Muslim families in Ujjain are clear violations of the Waqf Act. Additionally, the government’s refusal to update land records to reflect waqf ownership has facilitated illegal encroachments. This systematic dispossession is not an isolated incident but part of a nationwide trend seen in states like Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka, where waqf lands are either seized by authorities or handed over to private entities.

3. Political and Religious Marginalization

The Modi-led BJP government has increasingly adopted policies that disenfranchise the Muslim minority. The waqf land seizures are aligned with the broader Hindutva agenda, which aims to erase Muslim heritage and further marginalize the community. The government’s inaction against illegal waqf land encroachments by politically connected entities and its active participation in demolishing mosques and graveyards indicate a state-sponsored campaign of religious suppression.

4. OIC and International Community Must Act

MAPIM urges the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to take immediate diplomatic measures to:

1. Pressure the Indian government to halt waqf land seizures and mosque demolitions.
2. Demand an independent international investigation into the destruction of Muslim properties.
3. Raise the issue at the United Nations to ensure India’s compliance with human rights obligations.
4. Support legal and humanitarian efforts to protect Indian Muslims from forced eviction.
5. Call to Action for the Muslim World

The silence of the global Muslim community on this issue is unacceptable. Muslim nations, particularly those with strong economic ties to India, must hold New Delhi accountable for its actions. If left unchecked, this aggressive dispossession of waqf lands will set a precedent for further violations of minority rights across India.

MAPIM stands in solidarity with the oppressed Muslim communities in India and calls for urgent intervention to stop the systematic plundering of Islamic heritage and resources. The international community must act before history repeats itself with yet another episode of mass disenfranchisement and state-backed religious persecution.

Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid
President, MAPIM