PM Modi’s Saudi Visit Sends a Strong Message to Wakf Law Critics at Home

New Delhi: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for a key visit to Saudi Arabia on April 22–23, the political conversation in India continues to stir over the recently passed Wakf Amendment Bill. Interestingly, this visit—at the personal invitation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman—comes just weeks after the new Wakf law was introduced, drawing criticism from some Muslim organisations in India.

PM Modi will be travelling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to engage in bilateral discussions with the Crown Prince. According to government sources, the leaders are expected to deliberate on pressing international issues, including the ongoing Middle East conflict between Israel and extremist factions, as well as broader Muslim geopolitics.

Saudi Arabia holds a special place in the Islamic world, being home to Mecca and Medina—the two holiest sites of Islam. For many, the fact that the Prime Minister of India is being welcomed in such a prestigious and personal manner suggests a significant level of mutual respect between the two nations.

Critics of the new Wakf law have labelled it “anti-Muslim,” raising concerns about its implications. However, experts who closely follow Muslim geopolitics argue that had the law truly been discriminatory, a country like Saudi Arabia—so deeply rooted in Islamic tradition—would likely not have extended such a grand welcome to the Indian leader.

Sources point out that Saudi Arabia, before extending a state invitation, would have studied the socio-political environment in India, including the new legislation affecting Muslim communities. That the visit is going ahead as planned—just two weeks after the law was passed—adds symbolic weight to the event.

India is home to the world’s largest Muslim population living outside Islamic nations. Observers note that Muslims in India enjoy equal rights and significant participation in government schemes. In fact, official data shows that nearly 37% of welfare beneficiaries in India are from the Muslim community.

This backdrop makes Modi’s visit even more significant, especially for those opposing the Wakf law. It could be interpreted as a validation from a major Islamic nation, indirectly refuting the claim that the Indian government is targeting any religious group.

Celebration Among Poor Muslim Communities

On the domestic front, the BJP has launched an outreach campaign to educate people about the new Wakf law. In Rajasthan’s Ajmer, former Union Minister Kailash Choudhary recently met with Muslim representatives under this initiative. During the meeting, community leaders like Afshan Chishti and Shafiq Pathan shared how many poor Muslims across various states have welcomed the new law, especially during the recent Eid celebrations.

One of the most appreciated changes in the new law is the provision for representation of backward Muslim communities in the Wakf Council—something that was long overdue. For decades, poor and backward Muslims had no voice in how Wakf properties were managed, and many allege that powerful elites misused these lands meant for community welfare.

Now, there is hope that the new structure will be more inclusive and transparent. As PM Modi prepares to be received with royal honours in Riyadh, many in India see the visit as more than just diplomacy—it’s a message of mutual respect, shared values, and a reaffirmation that Indian Muslims are both empowered and integral to the nation’s fabric.