According to Indian Express, Antilia in Mumbai is valued at $2 billion. But the land on which Antilia stands has been mired in controversy.
Situated in one of the most affluent neighbourhoods of the city, the land was illegally acquired by the family through their corporate entity Antilia Commercial Private Limited for a little over Rs20 crore -- much lower considering the appreciation in real estate prices since then.
The sale of the land was made without the permission of the respective state waqf board, which oversees the maintenance and administration of waqf property and land.
In April 2004, the Maharashtra waqf board issued a notice to Antilia Commercial asking why the property should not be restored to the board. Though the trust eventually arrived at a settlement with the board, since then, many have claimed that their process was unscrupulous. The contest over the claim to the land has been ongoing since 2005, but neither the state nor the court has ordered any effective action.
About the act and a proposed Waqf amendment bill, renowned Islamic scholar Dr Zakir Naik has voiced strong concerns, warning that it could lead to the loss of thousands of mosques, madrasas, graveyards, and millions of acres of land belonging to the Muslims in India.
In a social media post on X, Zakir Naik said that if the bill is enacted, the repercussions for the Muslim population would be severe. He maintained that with key religious and community spaces at risk of being confiscated.
“This bill poses a direct threat to our religious institutions and heritage. If passed, it would lead to the takeover of thousands of mosques, madrasa, and graveyards. Lakhs of acres of land that serve our community will be taken away, impacting our generations to come,” the scholar said while speaking during a podcast with youtuber Nadir Ali.
The bill in question has sparked intense debate, with many Muslim leaders and organisations raising concerns about its potential to disrupt the fabric of religious freedom and the preservation of Islamic heritage in the country.
Naik urged the community to stay vigilant and united in opposing the legislation, stressing the importance of safeguarding their religious institutions and properties.
If the law is passed, also industrialist Mukesh Ambani will win the ownership right of Antilia, that is located on Altamount Road in South Mumbai. Ambani’s 27-storied house is a large, tetris block of a building, looms above the surrounding area.
The illegally constructed Ambani house has acquired a legend-like quality of its own. It boasts of six levels of underground parking.
With three helicopter pads, it also has a spa, a terrace gym, a ballroom and a service staff of 600 to look after it.
Set up in 1892, the Currimbhoy Ebrahimbhoy Khoja Orphanage trust was, according to its constitution, meant to “provide maintenance and education to the orphane/destitute boys of the Khoja community.” The constitution also stipulates that the managing committee of the trust shall appoint a religious instructor to “teach the Quran and the general and fundamental principles of the Islam to pupils of the orphanage.”
The trust continued working till 2002, even as its management likely became increasingly aware of the escalating price of the land in its possession. On 21 November 2002, the trust sold the land to Antilia Commercial Private Limited—the Ambani-controlled corporate entity which purchased the property—for a sum that would later appear meager: Rs 21 crore.
Thus, the religious scholar raised a voice in the interest of the Muslim community in India and for the protection worship and other places owned by the Muslims.
