Srinagar, Apr 17 (Reporter) J&K politicians, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, on Thursday welcomed the Supreme Court’s interim order which stays critical provisions of Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025. The Supreme Court is hearing various petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The apex court has issued an interim stay on the implementation of the controversial amendments to the Waqf Act. Omar Abdullah said the Supreme Court’s observations and the subsequent climbdown by the Union Government on the Waqf Bill have vindicated his party’s decision to challenge the legislation in the country’s top court. "The observations from the Hon SC & subsequent climbdown by the Union Government have reinforced our belief that we were correct in our decision to approach the Highest Court in the land to challenge the Waqf bill. We hope the court will deliver a comprehensive judgement that addresses all the concerns of the Muslim community," Omar said in a post on X. Omar's party National Conference expressed cautious optimism following the Union Government's climbdown on the controversial Waqf Bill. "While this may represent a significant climbdown by the Union Government, our concerns run deeper. We hope the Supreme Court will consider the full scope of the issue and deliver a comprehensive judgment after hearing all arguments," the NC said in a statement. People's Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti called the SC's interim order a “significant, timely and much-needed intervention”. “SCs interim order which stays critical provisions of Waqf Amendment Act 2025 is a significant, timely & much-needed intervention. This will reinforce the confidence of the Muslim community in the justice system,” she said on X. Kashmir's chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq while welcoming the relief said that Apex Court’s tough questions to Government and interim stand bring hope to Muslims. “Supreme Court asking some tough questions of the Govt on the Waqf Amendment Act, and its interim stand -that no new members will be added to Waqf boards and that ‘Waqf-by-user’ properties will not be denotified, is welcome. It gives hope to Muslims who look up to it, as their last recourse for relief and justice,” said Mirwaiz who is also chairman of Hurriyat Conference. “We hope the apex court revokes this biased and excessive Act against the interests of the vast Muslim community,” he added...////...