Keralam’s Waqf board chairperson terms Centre’s mandate on non-Muslim members ‘anti-Muslim’

M.C. Mayin Haji, the newly appointed chairperson of the Kerala State Waqf Board, has termed the Centre’s insistence on including two non-Muslim members on State Waqf Boards “anti-Muslim” move.“There is no need for non-Muslim members on a board that deals with Waqf matters,” he told The Hindu. Waqf is an Islamic concept involving the permanent dedication of property for religious, charitable and other purposes recognised under Islamic law, he said.Mr. Haji said the State government had expressed its readiness before the Kerala High Court to appoint two non-Muslim members because it was bound to comply with the Central law. Other States too have not made such appointments yet, he said, citing Tamil Nadu.HC curbs functioningThe composition of the previous board, constituted by the former Left Democratic Front government, had come under legal scrutiny after petitions challenged its failure to meet the statutory requirement for non-Muslim representation. The High Court subsequently restricted the board’s functioning.Mr. Haji, the State vice-president of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), said he would abide by his party’s position on contentious issues. “Whatever stand my party takes, I shall abide by it,” he said.His immediate priority, however, would be to resolve the more than 600 cases pending before the board. Drawing on his 18 years of experience as a board member, he said he would use mediation wherever possible and examine the merits of individual cases to determine the appropriate course of action.“The disputes are not with anyone outside the Muslim community. The disputes over Waqf properties are internal to the Muslim community and should be settled in a time-bound manner,” he said.Mum on MunambamOn the contentious Munambam land dispute, Mr. Haji declined to comment, noting that the matter was before the Kerala High Court and the Waqf Tribunal and was not currently before the Board. “I have just been appointed chairperson. I cannot comment on the issue at this stage,” he said.He also promised to revive the board’s welfare activities, which he said had declined because of reduced grants. The board had previously undertaken several programmes for the benefit of the Muslim community, and he intended to expand them.Mr. Haji said most sections of the Muslim community had representation on the board. A long-time member of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, he said he had served for 40 years on the executive committee of the Samastha Kerala Islam Matha Vidyabhyasa Board.He also indicated that a representative of the Sunni faction led by Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar could be inducted into the board in the coming days. Published - October 18, 2026 06:45 am IST