Muslims demand right to pray in India’s 600 historic mosques

Muslims in India, where nearly 600 historical mosques, built during the Mughal era, are under the control of the central government, are demanding the right to pray in those ancient holy places, according to Indo-Asian News Service.

“There are nearly 600 mosques all over the country, 53 in Delhi alone, where Muslims cannot pray because they are seen as historical monuments," said Intezar Naeem of the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, a body founded in 1941.

There are at least 53 ancient mosques in the Indian capital, some lie inside the 17th century Red Fort, one across the road near Jama Masjid, in the Safdarjung Tomb, in Lodi Garden and at the imposing Qutub Minar complex.

Muslims are also prohibited to pray in Khairul Manazil mosque opposite to the Old Fort as well as other mosques located inside the Delhi Golf Club grounds and near Wazirabad bridge, near the Yamuna River.

"The ASI (Archaeological Survey of India )says these are historical mosques and they need to be preserved as part of history," Naeem added.

"Our stand is that mosques are not built for any historical reasons. They are built so that Muslims can pray. What will happen if the Mecca is disallowed for prayers because it is a historical mosque?

"However beautiful or old or both, the mosques will be looked after by Muslims. They will also pray there. All mosques where prayers go on end up being well maintained. Many mosques with ASI are in a bad condition."

Muslims are also not allowed to pray in the mosque near the Ferozeshah Kotla ground, except during major Islamic holidays, like Eid ul-Fitr and Eid Al Adha.

Being prohibited from praying in places the government considers historic and keeps out of the reach of worshipers, has strained the ties between the Muslim Community and authorities.

Massive demonstrations were organised in the 1980s by India Muslim protesting being prohibited from praying at the mosque near the main gate of Safdarjung Tomb, a huge 18th century monument near Lodi Garden.

Abdul Haq Ansari, the head of the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, had previously urged the Indian government to allow Muslims pray in all historical mosques.

A similar demand was made by Shoaib Iqbal, deputy speaker of the Delhi legislative assembly, who called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to address the issue.

"The government is aware of the problem," said Naeem. “They know about it. They simply don’t want to solve it."

“A mosque is meant for our community, not for tourists. If you don’t agree, where is the freedom of religion?

“While we Muslims cannot pray at these mosques, all kinds of people enter them, wearing shoes and slippers.

“The right to prayer is justified. Please remember that there is deep resentment in the community over this. Probably the government does not realise this.”