Section 2: Interpretation

2. Interpretation (1) In this Act— “beneficiary under the waqf” means any person or class of persons that are to benefit from the object of the waqf; “Board” means the Board of Waqf Commissioners set up under section 49; “charity” means a charitable or religious object or purpose; “Court” means the Supreme Court; “declaration of waqf” means the statement by the owner of any specific property that he has declared the property to be waqf, or has dedicated it in perpetuity by way of charity; “Hanafi Muslim” means a Muslim who conforms to the tenets and doctrines of the Hanafi school of Muslim law; [Issue 1] W2 – 2 Revised Laws of Mauritius “mutawalli” means the person entrusted with the fulfilment of the object of the waqf and the carrying out of the directions given at the time of the declaration of waqf; “object of the waqf” means the purpose to which the waqif declares that the profits, income or benefit of the subject of the waqf shall be devoted; “Shia Muslim” means a Muslim who conforms to the tenets and doctrines of the Shia sect of Muslims; “subject of the waqf” means the property dedicated by way of waqf; “Sunni Muslim” means a Muslim who conforms to the tenets and doctrines of the Sunni sect of Muslims; “testamentary waqf” means a declaration of waqf expressed to come into effect after the death of the waqif; “waqf” means the permanent dedication by a person professing the Muslim faith of any property in order that the use of, or the income accruing from, the property may be devoted to any purpose recognised by Muslim law as religious, pious or charitable; “waqfnama” means the document evidencing a declaration of waqf; “waqif” means the person making a declaration of waqf. (2) This Act shall be interpreted in accordance with the principles of Muslim law. 3. —