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**News Article:**
**Center Defends Waqf Act Amendment in Supreme Court, Claims Concept Not Essential to Islam**
**New Delhi:** The Central government today defended the Waqf Amendment Act in the Supreme Court, asserting that while the concept of Waqf is Islamic, it is not a fundamental or essential aspect of the religion. The government’s statement comes amidst ongoing protests and a legal challenge to the Act, which has been met with resistance from certain groups. The Centre argued that the Act aims to improve the management and administration of Waqf properties across the country and ensure their proper utilization for the intended charitable purposes. Opponents of the amendment claim that it grants excessive powers to Waqf boards and potentially infringes on the rights of property owners. The Supreme Court is currently hearing arguments on the validity of the Act.
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