Some Muslims of Delhi offered Friday prayers at two ‘protected’ mosques on July 17. More than 160 Muslims gathered near Siri Fort and offered Friday prayers in Mohammadi Masjid. Another group of Muslims went to the Qutub Minar and said Friday prayers in Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid. Both the Mosques are classified as ‘protected monuments’ by the government and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) prohibits prayers at such places. The ASI has lodged complaints against the Delhi Wakf Board alleging that this is an attempt by Delhi Wakf Board to occupy more and more monuments.
Delhi Wakf Board Chairman Matin Ahmad later said that their people did offer Salat at these two historical mosques. He also said the mosque may be 1,000 years old; if it is a mosque, prayers should be offered therein. “Let ASI own it, but we should be allowed to offer prayers there. We have been requesting but they always rejected it.”
Ahmad said that increased migration prompted the need for more mosques and hence people go to mosques that are now not being used. “In fact, if people pray in such mosques they would be well maintained,” he maintained.