Three-day multilingual international calligraphy exhibition, seminar ‘MIRAJ 2023’concludes in B'luru
Bengaluru: The three-day multilingual international calligraphy exhibition and seminar ‘MIRAJ 2023’, organized by the Institute of Indo-Islamic Art & Culture (IIIAC) and sponsored by the Bearys Group concluded with a closing ceremony here in the city on Sunday evening.
During the closing ceremony, a documentary was released shedding light on the significance of calligraphy and the purpose of organizing the three-day event. Following the release of the documentary, a video glimpse of the first and second days of the event was also played for the visitors.
Renowned artist Balan Nambiar was present as the Chief Guest of the closing ceremony while Dr. MA Saleem, IPS, ADGP and Special Commissioner of Bengaluru Police, Feroz Abdullah of Feroz Estate Agency, and Mazhar Beary, Director of the Bearys Group were present as the guests of honor.
Mazhar Beary welcomed the guests and audience to the ceremony on behalf of his father Syed Beary who was unable to attend the event due to the passing away of his sister. In his address, Mazhar stated that the first-of-its-kind multilingual event was a success and was a result of the collective efforts of the organizers, artists, and volunteers.
Balan Nambiar congratulated the organizers for organizing such an event and also thanked the artists for taking part in the event.
MA Saleem also lauded the efforts of the IIIAC and Syed Beary in organizing the event and toiling for its success.
IIIAC Principal Muqtar Ahmed also thanked Syed Beary for tirelessly working and making this event a reality and success. He also shared his experiences on the aims and motives of establishing IIIAC and organizing the exhibition and seminar.
Turkish calligrapher Efdaluddin Kilic, Salwa Rasool, Ibrahim Abdullah, Suresh Waghmore, and other artists also expressed their views on the event and thanked the organizers for giving them a platform to showcase their art.
Towards the end of the program calligraphers who participated in the event, and volunteers were also felicitated for contributing to the success of the event.
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Parliament passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025
New Delhi (PTI): Parliament early Friday passed the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after it was approved by the Rajya Sabha.
The Lok Sabha had on Thursday approved the Bill after over a 12-hour debate.
In Rajya Sabha, the Bill got 128 votes in its favour and 95 against after all the amendments moved by the opposition were rejected.
In the lower house, the bill was supported by 288 MPs while 232 voted against it.
Participating in a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Bill was brought with a number of amendments based on suggestions given by various stakeholders.
"The Waqf Board is a statutory body. All government bodies should be secular," the minister said, explaining the inclusion of non-Muslims on the board.
He, however, said the number of non-Muslims has been restricted to only four out of 22.
Rijiju also alleged that the Congress and other opposition parties, and not the BJP, were trying to scare Muslims with the Waqf Bill.
"You (opposition) are pushing Muslims out of the mainstream," he added.
He said for 60 years, the Congress and others ruled the country, but did not do much for Muslims and the community continues to live in poverty.
"Muslims are poor, who is responsible? You (Congress) are. Modi is now leading the government to uplift them," the minister said.
According to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Waqf tribunals will be strengthened, a structured selection process will be maintained, and a tenure will be fixed to ensure efficient dispute resolution.
As per the Bill, while Waqf institutions' mandatory contribution to Waqf boards is reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will undergo audits by state-sponsored auditors.
A centralised portal will automate Waqf property management, improving efficiency and transparency.
The Bill proposes that practising Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to the Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules.
It stipulates that women must receive their inheritance before the Waqf declaration, with special provisions for widows, divorced women and orphans.
The Bill proposes that an officer above the rank of collector investigate government properties claimed as Waqf.
It also proposes that non-Muslim members be included in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity.
