HYDERABAD: There are several complaints of the TS Wakf Board not doing enough to protect Shia Wakf properties. Wakf Board records show 11,822 ashoorkhanas and the community claims that another 6,000 mosques and chillas as Shia properties.
“Only 3,000 ashoor-khanas remain while the remaining were encroa-ched upon or demolished,” said Mr Syed Ali Jaffery of Shia Compa-nions.
The community has demanded a separate Shia Wakf Board. Mr Syed Hameed Hussain Jaffery of the Shia Youth Conference said the Wakf Board had one representative from the community.
“Despite raising issues pertaining to various ashoorkhanas and other Shia properties, no action is being initiated. Not only religious places but also acres of land have been encroached upon. The Wakf Board is not taking any action,” Mr Hassain Jaffery complained.
He cited the example of of huge encroachment of land at the Yakutpura Imambada.
“It is one of the biggest property and despite several reminders the Board showed no interest. Now the issue is in court,” Mr Jaffery said.
Asked about the complaints, Telangana State Wakf Board chairman Mohammed Saleem said the board was working towards protecting Wakf land irrespective of which group it belonged to.
“A Wakf property belongs to the community and the board is serious in protecting the properties. Eminent lawyers are being hired to fight the encroachment cases in court,” Mr Saleem said.
