Modi, Amit Shah urged to take measures to halt the threatened demolition of the historic place of worship in South Delhi.
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, one of the country’s pioneering Muslim organisations, on Tuesday expressed its grave concern over the potential demolition of the Sunehri Bagh Mosque in South Delhi.
“The mosque is a Grade-III heritage building as per an October 2009 notification of Delhi government. It was erected around 200 years ago and caters to a large number of worshippers working in nearby offices,” Maulana Mahmood Asa’d Madani, President of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, wrote in his letter sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
“We firmly believe that such an action (the demolition) would constitute a grave loss to our shared heritage. This mosque, with its profound historical significance, stands as a testament to our nation’s pluralistic ethos and the harmonious coexistence of various communities. Its existence is not only crucial for their architectural beauty but also for the spiritual and historical values they represent,” the letter said, according to a Jamiat press release.
Maulana Madani conveyed his apprehension regarding the notification issued by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), soliciting public opinion on the proposed removal of the mosque. He emphasised that such an action could “significantly harm our shared cultural heritage.”
“I urge you to kindly take cognisance of this matter and initiate necessary steps to ensure the protection and preservation of Masjid Sunehri Bagh. I am confident that your intervention in this matter will be a crucial step in safeguarding our cultural identity and reinforcing the government’s commitment to preserving the rich heritage that defines our great nation,” Maulana Madani’s letter said.
Meanwhile, a delegation of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind visited the concerned mosque. The delegation met with Imam Maulana Abdul Aziz to gather further information. The imam emphasised that the mosque diligently adheres to all government security directives. He noted that even congregational prayers are not organised during the parliamentary session, and the mosque does not contribute to any traffic issues.
The Jamiat delegation included Maulana Ghayoor Ahmed Qasmi, Maulana Irfan Qasmi, Maulana Mufti Zakir Hussain Qasmi, Maulana Ehtsham Qasmi, and Maulana Azimullah Siddiqui.
