In a significant relief for thousands of Waqf trusts across the state, the Gujarat State Waqf Tribunal has approved an extension for completing registrations on the Umeed Portal. The decision comes at a crucial moment when more than 2,500 properties have only initiated the process and many others remain unregistered due to documentation gaps and confusion around procedural requirements.
The extension follows two separate petitions — one filed by community members on Friday and another by the Gujarat State Waqf Board the next day. While both played a role in bringing the issue to the Tribunal’s attention, community leaders stress that the priority now is not who filed the petitions but whether the extended period will be used effectively.
Over the past month, activists, legal professionals and community organisations have drafted a coordinated plan to push Gujarat toward near-complete registration. The roadmap includes a state-level coordination cell, district-wise documentation teams, a uniform checklist of required papers, door-to-door outreach to trustees, daily monitoring dashboards and legal assistance for trusts facing disputes or missing documents. If implemented with discipline, Gujarat could become the first state in the country to achieve such comprehensive Waqf documentation.
Trustees and activists have also welcomed the Waqf Board’s decision to file its own petition, calling it a sign of institutional support at a time when administrative guidance is essential. Meetings with Board officials are expected soon to streamline the strategy and clarify documentation requirements for each district.
Despite the encouraging momentum, several risks remain. Many trusts still lack complete documentation, awareness at the ground level is low, and several trustees are elderly or unfamiliar with digital processes. Activists also warn that the initial enthusiasm often fades within days if monitoring is not strict and collective discipline weakens. Without steady coordination, the extension may end up being just additional time rather than a transformative opportunity.
Community voices across Gujarat are emphasising unity over credit. “The question is not whose petition got the order,” said one organiser. “The question is whether we will use these days to secure Waqf assets for the next generation.” They point out that Waqf properties are an Amanat and proper documentation is essential to protect them from encroachment, disputes and mismanagement.
The Tribunal’s order has opened a rare window for reform. Whether Gujarat can turn this moment into a landmark achievement in Waqf governance will depend on what happens next — whether the momentum continues, whether monitoring remains consistent and whether the community and the Board work together with clarity and purpose. If these conditions align, achieving near 100% registration is not only possible but within reach.
