UDF govt reconstitutes Keralam Waqf Board, appoints IUML leader M.C. Mayin Haji as chairman

The UDF-led Keralam government has reconstituted the State Waqf Board, replacing all members of the board headed by K.S. Hamza. Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) State vice-president M.C. Mayin Haji has been appointed the new chairman.

The government has appointed nine members to the reconstituted board. They include Kurukkoli Moideen, MLA from Tirur, Musthafal Faisy, Thodiyoor Mohammed Kunju Moulavi, Siraj D. Kapsi, Sajna Firoz, Jaseem Sabah, Abdul Majeed and Salahi Madeena Begum.

Mr. Moideen has been included as the representative of MLAs. The new board includes representation from the Mujahid faction. However, there is no representation from the Sunni faction led by Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar.

Similarly, a representation of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama led by Syed Jifri Muthukoya Thangal is also missing. Instead, the government accommodated Musthafal Faizy, a former Samastha Mushawara member who was expelled for ridiculing the Samastha leadership and for praising the IUML.

The government has not nominated any non-Muslim members. Its order refers to cases pending before the Supreme Court and the Kerala High Court. It says the reconstitution was carried out in view of a High Court directive to address issues related to the board’s composition.

The government has replaced all members of the board appointed by the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government and headed by Mr. Hamza. M.C. Mayin Haji has served on the Waqf Board several times in the past.

The reconstitution comes amid a legal dispute over the board’s composition. Mr. Hamza and board member A.A. Rahim, MP, had approached the Kerala High Court challenging the government’s plans to reconstitute the board.

The court had earlier clarified that its directions were intended to ensure that the board remained functional. It said any issues arising from the reconstitution could be challenged before the appropriate authorities.

The petitions also raised concerns over vacancies reserved for two non-Muslim members and the lack of representation for communities such as Shias, Bohras and Aghakhanis. The court had directed the State government to file an affidavit on the reconstitution within a week.