According to a report, the proposal which involves digging 80 feet into quartzite stone just near the steps of Jama Masjid, is not only harmful for the safety of mosque’s structure but will also set a wrong precedent of commercial development around religious places. The earlier proposal had been approved by the Delhi High Court and was under discussion for sometime in the Urban Art Commission that approved it in September 2007. The Lt. Governor said, “Community feelings and heritage interests will be protected.” The delegation included Niaz Faruqui, Secretary Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, Qasim Rasool Ilyas of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Maulana Asghar Salfi, Jamiat Ahl-e- Hadith, Shafi Ahmed of Indian Council for Historical Research, Shahid Mehdi, former Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia and others.
MUSLIM LEADERS OPPOSE MALL PLAN NEAR JAMA MASJID
Prominent Muslim leaders of the city have submitted a memorandum to Lt.
Prominent Muslim leaders of the city have submitted a memorandum to Lt. Governor of Delhi Tejendra Khanna asking him to halt MCD’s plan to build a mall in front of Jama Masjid Delhi. A delegation led by Minorities Commission Delhi Chairman Kamal Farooqui called on the Lt. Governor earlier this week and requested the authorities not to go ahead with its plan to construct a mall in front of the mosque.