Dhaka, April 4 -- India's lower house of parliament has passed a controversial bill moved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist government to amend laws governing Muslim endowments worth more than $14bn.
The waqf bill would add non-Muslims to boards that manage the endowments and give the government a more significant role in validating their land holdings. Waqf refers to personal property - moveable or immovable - that is permanently donated by Muslims for religious or charitable purposes.
Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) argues the proposed changes to a 1995 waqf law will help fight corruption and mismanagement while promoting diversity.
But Muslims fear the move could leave waqf properties - historic mosques, shops, s...