Hyderabad: Advisor to the Telangana Government Mohammed Ali Shabbir on Tuesday emphasised the urgent need to complete Waqf property registration on the Union government’s Umeed portal. He noted that fear and confusion, especially in rural areas, continued to delay the Waqf registration process.
Shabbir Ali made the remarks during a review meeting attended by Minority Welfare Minister Md Azharuddin. Also present were Telangana Haj Committee Chairman Syed Gulam Afzal Biabani, TMREIS President Faheem Qureshi, and senior officials.
He reported that around 74% of gazetted Waqf properties had already been registered. However, many Ashoorkhanas, mosques, and other Waqf institutions, particularly in villages, remained outside the system. He attributed the gap in Waqf property registration to legal uncertainties and delays. Also, concerns among caretakers that the state might take control of the properties contributed to this issue.
Tribunal extension, outreach push, and IT support
Shabbir Ali said that a pending Supreme Court case and objections from the All India Muslim Personal Law Board had initially stalled Waqf property registration for four months. The Waqf Tribunal later granted a three-month extension. Moreover, it directed the Centre to reopen the portal.
He welcomed Union Minister Kiren Rijiju’s comments encouraging states to complete registrations through local courts. Telangana officials had earlier approached the judiciary but were advised to wait until portal access was restored.
Now that access has resumed, he urged the Telangana Waqf Board to launch a district-wide awareness campaign about Waqf property registration. He said mosque and dargah caretakers needed reassurance that the portal is meant to safeguard not seize their institutions.
Shabbir Ali also recommended hiring young IT professionals through trusted agencies to speed up data entry. He said depending on older or untrained volunteers was slowing progress.
He praised Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Minority Welfare Minister Md Azharuddin for supporting the full legal documentation of Waqf properties through the Umeed platform.