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Ahmad Wali Faisal Rahmani

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Ahmad Wali Faisal Rahmani
Rahman in Sheikhpura, Bihar
Ameer-e-Shariat of Imarat-e-Shariah (Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand)
Incumbent
Assumed office
9 October 2021
Preceded byWali Rahmani
Sajjada Nashin of Khanqah-e-Rahmani, Munger
Incumbent
Assumed office
9 April 2021
Preceded byWali Rahmani
Secretary of All India Muslim Personal Law Board
In office
3 June 2023 – 25 November 2024
TitleAmeer-e-Shariat VIII
Personal life
Born (1975-05-12) 12 May 1975 (age 50)
Munger, Bihar, India
NationalityIndian
Parent
Education
Known forAmeer-e-Shariat of Imarat-e-Shariah (Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand), Sajjada Nashin of Khanqah-e-Rahmani, Munger
OccupationIslamic scholar, religious leader
Senior posting
PredecessorWali Rahmani

Ahmad Wali Faisal Rahmani (born 12 May 1975) is an Indian Islamic scholar, and religious leader. He is the eighth Ameer-e-Shariat of Imarat-e-Shariah, an Islamic organization operating in Bihar, Odisha, and Jharkhand.[1] He also serves as the Sajjada Nashin (spiritual successor) of Khanqah Rahmani, a khanqah in Munger, Bihar succeeding Wali Rahmani.[2]

Early life and education

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Ahmad Wali Faisal Rahmani was born on 12 May 1975 in Munger to Wali Rahmani.[3][4] He received his early education at Jamia Rahmani in Munger, under the supervision of his father.[5] He later moved to the United States for higher studies, where he completed a degree in engineering from the University of California.[6] Following his graduation, he briefly taught at the University of California and then joined the software company Accenture, where he currently serves as a manager.[7] He later took a two-year leave from work to pursue Arabic language and literature studies at Al-Azhar University, Egypt, before returning to the United States.[8][7]

Career

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Before returning to India, Rahmani worked in the United States in various capacities. He was associated with the University of California and worked at companies such as Adobe Systems, BP, and Disney.[6] He later joined Accenture, where he holds a managerial role.[9] In addition to his professional work, he was associated with Jamia Rahmani (in Munger), where he was involved in teaching Arabic language through online classes aimed at Quran memorization students.[7]

In 2015, he was appointed as the Sajjada Nashin of Khanqah-e-Rahmani by his father, Wali Rahmani. His formal Sajjada Nashini ceremony took place on 9 April 2021.[2] Following the death of his father on 3 April 2021, he was elected as the eighth Ameer-e-Shariat of Imarat-e-Shariah on 9 October 2021.[10] His election was conducted through voting, a departure from the previous practice of consensus-based selection.[11] He secured 347 votes against 197 votes received by his closest rival, Anisur Rahman Qasmi.[12]

As Ameer-e-Shariat, Rahmani has focused on modernizing Imarat-e-Shariah while maintaining its traditional role in religious guidance.[4] His key initiatives include the expansion of Darul Qaza (Islamic arbitration centers), strengthening educational institutions affiliated with Imarat-e-Shariah, protecting waqf properties and addressing land reform issues, implementing self-sufficient maktab (primary Islamic schools) programs, and enhancing the use of technology in religious and educational activities.[8][6] Rahmani has emphasized the need for technical education among madrasa students. Under his leadership, Imarat-e-Shariah introduced digital tools to modernize Islamic education.[13]

Rahmani was elected secretary of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board in June 2023[3][14] and resigned in November 2024.[15]

Political and social stances

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In January 2020, Rahmani supported the anti-CAA protests in Bihar, including the Subzibagh demonstration in Patna. Alongside other community leaders, he emphasized that the protests were aimed at protecting constitutional values rather than being driven by religious identity. Rahmani raised concerns that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Register of Citizens (NRC), and National Population Register (NPR) could undermine India's secular fabric and disproportionately impact marginalized communities.[16]

In September 2023, Rahmani, as a secretary of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), was involved in efforts to ensure women's rightful share in inheritance under Sharia law. The initiative aimed to address concerns over women being denied inheritance rights and was part of a broader social reform effort by the Board.[17]

In March 2024, Rahmani, along with other Muslim leaders, signed a joint statement opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019. The statement argued that the law violates Article 14 of the Indian Constitution by selectively granting citizenship based on religion and excluding Muslims. It also criticized the timing of its implementation before general elections, calling it politically motivated.[18][19]

In June 2025, Rahmani, as Ameer-e-Shariat, publicly opposed the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, describing it as a threat to religious autonomy and waqf properties. He stated that the law could allow state interference in religious endowments and heritage sites, and claimed that some BJP Members of Parliament had expressed support for his stance.[20][21][22]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "مولانا فیصل رحمانی امارت شرعیہ بہار، اڈیشہ و جھارکھنڈ کے آٹھویں امیر شریعت منتخب" [Maulana Faisal Rahmani Elected Eighth Ameer of Imarat Shariah Bihar, Odisha, and Jharkhand]. Qaumi Awaz (in Urdu). 9 October 2021. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  2. ^ a b Siddiqui, Zafar (9 April 2021). "مولانا احمد ولی فیصل رحمانی ازہری خانقاہ رحمانی کے نئے سجادہ نشیں منتخب، تقریب میں امیرشریعت آسام ، امیرشریعت کرناٹک اور خلفاء سمیت متعدد علماء کی شرکت" [Maulana Ahmad Wali Faisal Rahmani Appointed as the New Sajjada Nashin of Khanqah Rahmani, Ceremony Attended by Ameer Shariat of Assam, Karnataka, and Several Scholars]. Millat Times (in Urdu). Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  3. ^ a b Qasmi, Muhammad Sanaul Huda (10 July 2023). "مفکر ملت حضرت مولانا احمد ولی فیصل رحمانی حفظہ اللہ" [Thinker of the Nation: Hazrat Maulana Ahmad Wali Faisal Rahmani (May Allah Protect Him)]. Baseerat Online (in Urdu). Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  4. ^ a b Qasmi, Nazish Huma (17 October 2021). "ہاں میں امیر شریعت احمد ولی فیصل رحمانی ہوں۔۔۔! ہاں میں ہوں" [Yes, I Am Ameer Shariat Ahmad Wali Faisal Rahmani...! Yes, I Am]. Baseerat Online (in Urdu). Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  5. ^ Hasan, Shah Imran (2016). Hayat-e-Wali. Jamia Nagar, Okhla, New Delhi: Rahbar Book Service. p. 45.
  6. ^ a b c Khosa, Aasha (10 October 2021). "IT professional Maulana Rehmani heads Imarat-e-Sharia". Awaz The Voice. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  7. ^ a b c Hasan 2016, p. 46.
  8. ^ a b Ahmad, Sami (12 October 2021). "Bihar: Imarat-e-Shariah's new chief is a man of technology, who believes 'massive action' can change course of Muslim community". TwoCircles. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  9. ^ Hasan 2016, pp. 45–46.
  10. ^ "مولانا احمد ولی فیصل رحمانی امیر شریعت منتخب - امیر شریعت کے انتخاب" [Maulana Ahmad Wali Faisal Rahmani Elected Ameer-e-Shariat]. ETV Bharat News (in Urdu). 9 October 2021. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  11. ^ Saqibe, Imtiyaz (9 October 2021). "مولانا احمد ولی فیصل رحمانی امارت شرعیہ بہار، اڑیسہ، جھارکھنڈ کے آٹھویں امیر شریعت منتخب" [Maulana Ahmad Wali Faisal Rahmani Elected as Eighth Ameer of Imarat Shariah Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand]. News18 Urdu (in Urdu). Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  12. ^ "After months of conflict, Maulana Wali Rahmani's son elected as Imarat-e-Sharia chief". Muslim Mirror. 10 October 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  13. ^ Rahmani, Wali (29 November 2024). "Story of Wali Faisal Rahmani, a leader dedicated to Indian Muslims". eNewsroom India. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  14. ^ Sahay, Sanjay (4 October 2024). "Cong to make Waqf bill key poll issue..." The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  15. ^ "آل انڈیا مسلم پرسنل لا بورڈ کے سکریٹری کا استعفیٰ" [Resignation of the Secretary of All India Muslim Personal Law Board] (in Urdu). Hindustan Samachar. 25 November 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  16. ^ Singh, Santosh (20 January 2020). "Bihar: 'Not about religion, protest against bid to create rift'". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 20 January 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  17. ^ Roy, Esha (19 September 2023). "AIMPLB to start 'movement' to ensure women get rightful share in inheritance". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 13 October 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  18. ^ Verma, Lalmani (13 March 2024). "CAA undermines principle of equality: Muslim bodies". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 12 March 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  19. ^ Salam, Ziya Us (12 March 2024). "Muslim bodies condemn CAA notification, want it repealed". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  20. ^ "Waqf law protest likely to draw large crowd today". The Times of India. 28 June 2025. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  21. ^ "Waqf Act Bihar Assembly Election 2025: मुस्लिम समुदाय वक्फ कानून के विरोध में लामबंद". Jansatta (in Hindi). 29 June 2025. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  22. ^ Singh, Santosh (29 June 2025). "'Some BJP MPs backing our Waqf stand': Top Muslim body chief on eve of Patna rally". The Indian Express. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
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