JAMMU: Dr Darakhshan Andrabi was today unanimously elected as the first woman chairperson of the Wakf Board in a maiden meeting held by the newly appointed members here at Haj House.On the occasion Dr Andrabi said that the responsibility she has been given is pivotal. She maintained that it is not only construction and maintenance of religious places that would be her focus but creation of assets like schools, universities and hospitals as that of Narayana Hospital and SMVDU are also worth emulating.Terming her work as worship she maintained that the utilities created by the Board would be beneficial to all irrespective of colour, creed or religion. She declared that the protection of Wakf property and its best use is their priority.She said that the actions of new body are going to be louder than the words. She stated that people are going to feel the difference in the working of the board after its working for some time.Andrabi thanked Members of the Board for reposing their trust in her and electing her as the Chairperson of the Board.It was given out that Wakf has been entrusted with looking after of some 32000 properties including shrines and mosques. It was further said that out of these 25000 have been geo-tagged in the last year by the active efforts of concerned Deputy Commissioners and other basic revenue workers. It was also stated that the rest of the properties would be demarcated and geo-tagged soon by the support of the district administrations.Pertinent to mention here that it was the first meeting of newly nominated J&K Waqf body recently appointed by Ministry of Minority Affairs, GoI. Its term is going to last for five years.The newly appointed members of the board also includes Dr Ghulam Nabi Haleem, Suhail Kazmi, Syed Mohammad Hussain and Nawab Din.Besides the members the officers of J&K Waqf Board also participated in this meeting.
