Chattogram: Religious Affairs adviser AFM Khalid Hossain has announced that the government is set to initiate a nationwide drive to reclaim Waqf properties that have been illegally occupied. The operation is slated to commence from Chattogram next week and will subsequently extend to various districts including Jashore, Brahmanbaria, Sylhet, Kishorganj, and Sunamganj.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the drive will involve the participation of police and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), with support from local administration. Khalid Hossain mentioned that the government had already successfully recovered 52 bighas of occupied land in Naogaon district in the northern region. He emphasized the importance of protecting Waqf properties, which are considered a sacred trust by devout Muslims who have donated their assets out of love and affection for the community.
The adviser highlighted a report from the Standing Committee on the Religious Affairs Ministry, which revealed that approximately 85,572 acres of Waqf properties are currently occupied illegally. Presently, there are nearly 22,000 registered Waqf estates across the country, encompassing around 424,074 acres of land. Waqf activities have long been a part of the Muslim society, operating on the basis of trust, as confirmed by sources from the religious affairs ministry.
Many mosques and madrasas under the Waqf estate are managed by the descendants of the original donors and social committees, despite the properties being verbally declared as Waqf. To ensure the proper use of these estates for the welfare of the people, the Bengal Waqf Act was first enacted in 1934 during the British era and later amended in 1962 and 2013.
Regarding the widespread issue of occupied Waqf properties linked to mosques and madrasas, Khalid Hossain noted that many individuals have illegally taken control of these properties. To curb this, a digitalized process and a reorganization of the Waqf administration will be introduced to safeguard these assets from unauthorized possession.
The adviser also highlighted challenges such as the destruction or concealment of Waqf property deeds by beneficiaries, making them difficult to trace. However, there is optimism about bringing more mosques and madrasas under Waqf property regulations. Some people have maintained control over these properties through court orders, but with the establishment of a dedicated bench in the High Court for Waqf property lawsuits, it is anticipated that these cases will be resolved more swiftly.