06 special report

SPECIAL REPORT

Part-03

JAMIAT CONTINUES

STRUGGLE FOR RESTORING PRAYERS INSIDE THE Abandoned MASJIDS Desk C E the From

Jamiat Ulama-Hind constituted a five member committee f o r m a k i n g assessment of mosques under Archeological Survey of India (ASI). Closing of any mosque under ASI is illegal said Maulana Mahmood Madani.

The committee would visit a closed mosque

by ASI on daily basis and file its report as well.

8

Masjid-e-Rajuki Baayin Converted into a Bastion of Wine Drinkers

W

ine drinking and gambling goes on inside the mosque.

The guard posted there threatened with dire consequences if he stopped them from drinking and gambling. “Negligent attitude of the government responsible for illegal activities inside the mosque”, said the guard.

Religious sanctity of Masjide Rajuki Baayin is persistently violated due to negligent attitude of the Government of India and Archeological Survey of India (ASI). Wine drinking, gambling and other illegal activities go on unchecked inside the mosque. The Government of India and Archeological Survey of India (ASI) do not take any action to prevent such illegal activities inside the mosque.

An eight member delegation of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind led by Maulana Niaz Ahmed Farooqui, legal adviser, and

16 EASTERN CRESCENT NOVEMBER 2015

Maulana Hakimuddin Qasmi, Secretary visited the mosque for assessing the condition of the mosque. Upon arrival, they were stunned to find wine drinking, gambling and other illegal activities going on freely while the guard posted there remained a mute spectator. Maulana Hakimuddin Qasmi, inquired from the guards, Mr. Devendar and Upender about the reason of their passivity against illegal activities inside the mosque. They replied that if they stopped them they were threatened with death. They also said that such illegal activities could only be stopped if Government of India paid adequate attention to this issue.

When members of delegation asked the guards to allow them to offer prayers (namaz) they were curtly told that offering of prayer (namaz) was strictly prohibited in the mosque. Condemning the Archeological Survey of India’s illegal ban upon prayers, the delegation

SPECIAL REPORT

observed that in the name of protecting ancient monuments illegal activities such as wine drinking and gambling etc. were allowed but offering of prayer (namaz) was strictly prohibited. The step-well (bawli) inside the mosque was littered with dirt and filth. This mosque is located only hundred meters away from the Mehrauli Bus terminal. In 1506, Daulat Khan built this mosque using red stone. Daulat Khan was an Emir during the reign of Sikandar Shah Lodhi.

violation of religious sanctity of the mosque cannot be condoned. He also demanded that Muslim guards should be deputed in the mosque who could protect its sanctity. The delegation consisted of Maulana Niaz Ahmed Farooqui, Maulana Hakimuddin

Qasmi, Maulana Ghayur Ahmad Qasmi, Maulana Haroon Rashid Qasmi, Maulana Irfan Qasmi, Haji Arif, Asad Miyan, Maulana Mohammad Yaseen Ahmad Qasmi, Maulana Kalimuddin,Hafiz Bashir and Noor Alam.

Maulana Hakimuddin Qasmi said that Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind demands from the Government of India and Archeological Survey of India to prevent illegal activities inside the mosque immediately and allow offering of prayer (namaz). Since mosque is a place of worship, its sanctity should be maintained at all cost. He also said that

9

Conspiracy to erase the historical identity of the Mosque and Mausoleum of Sheikh Yusuf Qattal

an upon prayer (namaz) in the mosque but drinking of wine permitted.

B

Mosque on verge of ruin due to negligent attitude of the Archeological Survey of India (ASI).

The very existence of a wonderful, monumental historical mosque is on the verge of extinction due to negligent attitude of the Archeological Survey of India (ASI). It has put a ban on offering prayer (namaz) inside the mosque, but ironically, allowed illegal activities.

A delegation of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind led by Maulana Niaz Ahmed Farooqui, legal adviser and Maulana Hakimuddin Qasmi, Secretary, visited the mosque for assessing its condition. When delegation reached the mosque they

were stunned to find that a tiny temple had been built in the mosque with flower garlands in it. It was clearly a case illegal encroachment and the temple was just an excuse. They found empty bottles of wine everywhere in the mosque.

there to protect this historical mosque.

The Wakf Board had appointed Maulana Mohammad Ilyas as the imam of this mosque, but ASI did not permit him to lead prayers there. Every kind of illegal activity was taking place inside the mosque, but offering of prayer was strictly prohibited. The land of the mosque had been illegally occupied by the people living in the vicinity.

When they entered the mosque they felt the smell of hemp extract. It appeared to the members of delegation that just before their arrival, some persons have enjoyed taking hemp over there. The four corners of the mosque were littered with paan and gutkha. Some people had even defecated and urinated inside the precincts of mosque. It was very difficult for the members of delegation to bear the stinking smell .

It has to be noted that this mosque was built in 1497 by Sheikh Alauddin who was grand niece of celebrated Sufi Hazrat Fareed Ganj Shakar during the reign of Sultan Sikandar Shah Bin Sultan Bahlol. Hazrat Fareed Ganj Shakar was a trusted disciple of Yusuf Qattal and Qazi Jalaluddin Lahori.

The ASI has not deputed any guard o

Maulana Hakimuddin Qasmi, Secretary

17 EASTERN CRESCENT NOVEMBER 2015

SPECIAL REPORT

of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind demanded from the Government of India and Archeological Survey of India to lift the ban on offering of prayers in the mosque and for taking immediate action for its protection. The delegation consisted of Maulana Niaz Ahmad Farooqui, Maulana Hakimuddin Qasmi, Maulana Ghayur Ahmad Qasmi, Maulana Haroon Rashid Qasmi, MaulanaIrfanQasmi, Maulana Mohammad Yaseen Qasmi and Hafiz Bashir Ahmad.

10

The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) Should Appoint Muslim Guard as it had Appointed at Wazirabad Mosque.

amiat Ulama-i-Hind appreciated the deputation of Muslim guard in the mosque as it ensured sanctity of the mosque. It also demanded lifting of ban upon namaz (prayer) .

J

An eight-member delegation of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind led by Maulana Niaz Ahmed Farooqui, legal adviser, and Maulana Hakimuddin Qasmi visited Dargah and mosque of Ghulam Alamgir

known as masjid Wazirabad for making an assessment of prevailing condition of the mosque. When delegation reached there they found that the mosque was locked from outside. The guard posted there asked about the purpose of their visit and unlocked the gate of the mosque for their entrance.

He instructed them not to offer prayer in the mosque.

Members of the delegation found that adequate arrangement was made here for cleaning the mosque. During the course of their visit, they also found that the guard was scolding a visitor for entering the mosque wearing shoes.

They felt surprised because during the course of their visit to various mosques it was the first case of a guard rebuking someone for entering the mosque wearing shoes. Maulana Hakimuddin Qasmi enquired the name of the guard who replied that his name was Mr. Nizam. They noted their appreciation for the upkeep of the place by the guard and said that if similar arrangements were made in other mosques their sanctity could have been maintained.

The guard also told them that raising issue of this mosque in the media will serve no purpose, because Hindus regarded this mosque as a temple. The guard also informed them that in 1981, some anti-social elements had reached on top of the mosque while carrying saffron flags in their hands and misbehaved with the people offering

18 EASTERN CRESCENT NOVEMBER 2015

SPECIAL REPORT

prayer (namaz) there. This incident was reported to the police. The police took notice and severely scolded them. On that day, the police issued an instruction to the Muslims not to offer prayer (namaz) there. And from that day onward a ban is enforced upon offering prayer in the mosque.

Maulana Niaz Ahmad Farooqui and

11

A

Maulana Hakimuddin Qasmi said that since posting of a Muslim guard at Wazirabad mosque has ensured sanctity of the mosque, therefore Jamiat Ulamai-Hind wishes that only Muslim guards shall be posted in all mosques administered by the ASI. It will ensure religious sanctity of all the mosques.

Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind also demands

lifting of ban upon offering of prayer in the mosque. The delegation consisted of Maulana Niaz Ahmed Farooqui, Maulana Hakimuddin Qasmi, Maulana Ghayur Ahmad Qasmi, Maulana Haroon Rashid Qasmi, Maulana Mohammad Yaseen Qasmi, Hafiz BashirAhmad.

Why only Permission for Juma Prayer in Safdar Jung Mosque? Why not Five Times Prayers Allowed in it?

fter Juma prayer is over, visiting tourists violate sanctity of the mosque.

Which provision of law permits Juma prayer in the mosque but prohibits offering of five times prayer in it, Jamiat leaders asked?

An eight-member delegation of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind led by Maulana Niaz Ahmed Farooqui, legal adviser of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and Maulana Hakimuddin Qasmi, Secretary while continuing their struggle for restoring prayers inside the closed mosques raised strong protest against lackadaisical attitude of the ASI for allowing illegal activities inside the mosque. The delegation of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind while continuing their visit to the closed mosque also visited Safdar Jung mosque.

Maulana Hakimuddin Qasmi, secretary and Maulana Niaz Ahmed Farooqui, legal adviser of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind questioned which provision of law permitted juma prayer in a mosque and barred five times prayer over there.

They also said that whatever is happening in the name of protecting the mosque is highly condemnable. They also said that in the name of promoting tourism girls and boys have been allowed to carry on obscene activities inside mausoleum of Safdar Jung.

Just outside the mosque a new temple is under construction but ASI remained a silent spectator. They also said since juma prayer was allowed, what was

When the delegation arrived there, they found that the mosque was locked from outside. When Maulana Hakimuddin Qasmi, Secretary inquired from the guard posted there about why prayer is not offered there. The guard replied to him that this mosque was opened daily for two hours and only juma prayer was allowed. The mosque is closed after completion of juma prayer.

19 EASTERN CRESCENT NOVEMBER 2015

wrong if five time prayers were too permitted. A mosque is constructed for offering of prayer not for locking it from outside.

Maulana Hakimuddin Qasmi, said that Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind demands from the ASI and the government of India to lift the ban upon offering of five times prayer and also allow Muslims to offer daily prayers in it. The delegation consisted of Maulana Niaz Ahmed Farooqui, Maulana Hakimuddin Qasmi, Maulana Ghayur Ahmad Qasmi, Maulana Haroon Rashid Qasmi, Maulana Mohammad Yaseen Qasmi and Hafiz Bashir Ahmad.

SPECIAL REPORT

12

The Moti Masjid located adjacent to the mausoleum of Qutbuddin Bakhtiya Kaki (ra) remained abandoned. The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) enforced banned on offering of prayer (namaz) in the masjid.

No arrangement was made for the cleanliness of the masjid. The historical masjid was on verge of destruction.

ue to negligent attitude of ASI, the very existence of Moti Masjid located adjacent to the mausoleum of Qutbuddin Bakhtiya Kaki (ra) is on verge of extinction. The ASI has banned offering of prayers in the masjid at the pretext of preserving the same. But condition of the masjid is contrary to the claim made by the ASI. This masjid remains unprotected and lacks proper attention of the ASI.

D

An eight-member delegation of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind led by Maulana Niaz Ahmed Farooqui, legal adviser of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and Maulana Hakimuddin Qasmi, Secretary of Jamiat have been continuously visiting such closed masjids and making sincere efforts for restoring prayers in them.

When Jamiat delegation visited

mausoleum of Qutbuddin Bakhtiya Kaki (ra), they found that a beautiful and grand masjid built of marbles over there is already on verge of extinction due to fading owing to the negligent attitude of ASI. It is surprising that at one hand the government of India sanctions huge budget to the ASI for the protection and beatification of historical monuments, but on other hand this beautiful and historical masjid is losing its beauty day by day. Maulana Hakimuddin Qasmi, secretary of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind said that this masjid is getting extinct due to enforcing ban on prayer there. He also said that not only Moti Masjid but every closed masjid will return to its pristine glory if government lifts ban on offering of prayer in them.

20 EASTERN CRESCENT NOVEMBER 2015

It is to be noted that this masjid was built

by Mohammad Moazzm Shah Alam Bahadur Shah (1) in 1709 A.D. Maulana Niaz Ahmad Fooqui, legal adviser of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and Maulana Hakimuddin Qasmi, secretary said that ASI is solely responsible for the worsening condition of this masjid.

They also said that the ASI should take proper action for the protection of this masjid and lift ban on offering of prayers in it.

They also said that Jamiat Ulama-iHind demands from the government of India to make proper arrangement for cleanliness of the masjid and post a Muslim guard in it. The abopvementioned Jamiat delegation had visited the masjid and gave its report.