‘Remove obstructions from the properties; let us pray there’

The Haryana Waqf Board on Sunday submitted a list of 19 mosques/properties in Gurugram that are lying unused either due to alleged opposition by locals or encroachments.

The step comes in the wake of continued protests by right-wing organisations against offering of namaz in open spaces in the city.

The board said that the sites could be used for Friday prayers. Submitting the list, Estate Officer of the Gurugram Waqf Board Jamaluddin demanded that the local administration remove any encroachment at these sites and provide police protection to those offering prayers at these places.

‘Amicable resolution’

Mr. Jamaluddin told The Hindu that the Waqf Board was ready to renovate or build mosques at these properties and deploy Imams at its own expenses.

“If the administration can remove encroachments from these 19 sites, most of the people who are forced to offer prayers in open spaces can be accommodated and the matter can be resolved amicably,” he said.

In his letter, Mr. Jamaluddin also referred to an over two-acre plot acquired by the HUDA in Chauma village in Palam Vihar. He said that the Punjab and Haryana High Court had already directed the HUDA to provide alternate land to the board in return for the plot.

‘Thwarted by locals’

As per the list, seven mosques have been allegedly encroached upon in Wazirabad, Daulatpur-Nasriabad, Dhankot, Naurganpur, Jharsa, Badshahpur and Farrukhnagar villages. Similarly, six mosques are not being used for offering prayers at Bhondsi, Khurampur, Dhankot, Meoka and Garhi Harsaru villages due to alleged opposition by the locals.

“Our attempts to build a mosque on Waqf Board plots in Jharsa, Jharsa-Fazilpur, Naurangpur and Meoka have been thwarted by the locals,” said Mr. Jamaluddin.

He added that at present there were only 4-5 mosques and eidgahs in Gurugram, but the Muslim population was increasing due to migration to the city in search of livelihood. He claimed that Friday prayers were offered at around 150-200 open spaces across the city, besides at mosques and eidgahs.

Haryana Congress vice-president Aftab Ahmed said that the State government had objection to the offering of namaz in the open, but at the same time allowed people to encroach upon Waqf Board properties. “They want to subject Muslims to such an humiliation where they cannot pray as per their faith. We offer namaz only once a week for less than an hour. It happens across India. All State governments ensure that it is done. It has nothing to do with encroachment,” he said.