Ummer Faizi named in waqf board

Kozhikode/Kochi: Samastha Mushawara member Ummer Faizi Mukkam, who is a leading voice among IUML detractors in the influential body of Islamic scholars, is among those nominated to the Kerala State Waqf Board.The decision to include Faizi, who is also known for his proximity to the Left, is seen as a move that could further sharpen the divide between pro- and anti-IUML factions within Samastha.While the AP faction of Samastha, led by Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musaliyar, has traditionally been viewed as close to the Left, internal differences within the EK faction have led to the emergence of a group seeking to assert Samastha's independence.In Nov last year, Samastha issued a notice to Faizi over his controversial remarks against IUML state president Panakkad Sadikkali Shihab Thangal, in which he questioned Thangal's credentials to serve as a qazi. Pro-IUML leaders had subsequently demanded action against him.Responding to his nomination, Faizi said he welcomed the opportunity to articulate his views on protecting waqf properties in the state, including Munambam land.He maintained that the Munambam land was waqf property, alleging that a large portion had been encroached upon and the remaining land was sold by the Farook College committee — actions he said were wrong and unacceptable under Islamic principles.The state govt informed the high court that the state waqf board has been reconstituted, with Rajya Sabha member A A Rahim and Kuttiady MLA Kunhammed Kutty included as members and allowing current chairperson M K Sakeer to continue. The govt nominated the new members under Unified Waqf Management Act but is yet to appoint the two non-Muslim members. The submission was made in response to a PIL filed by the Kerala Waqf Samrakshana Vedhi, seeking reconstitution of the board as its term expired on Dec 14, 2024. A govt order issued on Wednesday also includes P U Ali (Islamic theology scholar), Sareena Salam (Kasaragod district panchayat member), Sumitha Nisaf (Kodungallur municipality vice-chairperson), C K Usman Haji (business management professional) and V M Rahana (law department addl secretary) as an ex-officio member. The GO further stated that the appointment of two more members would be made shortly.In its petition, the Waqf Samrakshana Vedhi had stated that although the board's term had expired, a division bench of the high court, by an order dated Nov 28, 2024, had permitted the existing members to continue until new members were elected as the state govt had informed the court that elections were under way and would be completed within four months. Subsequently, the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, came into force on April 8, 2025. The petitioners further contended that the state govt's failure to appoint new members even after the enactment of the amended Act was illegal and arbitrary.