Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Saturday said that in the new Secretariat, a temple, mosques and a church would be constructed at the expense of the government.
He declared that after the end of the ensuing Legislative Session, foundation stones will be laid for all the places of worship on the same day and construction works will be launched and completed on a fast note mirroring the true Ganga-Jamuni Tehjeeb of the State.
The CM held a meeting with the elder members of the Muslim community at Pragathi Bhavan on Saturday on the construction of new Mosque at the Secretariat and other issues. On this occasion, the CM discussed at length on several issues. He elicited their opinion and suggestions.
In this context, the CM has taken several key decisions such as:
It was decided to construct one temple, two mosques which were damaged while demolishing the old secretarial buildings with all the facilities.
The government would construct two mosques, each in 750 square feet (total 1500 Sq Feet) including one Imam Quarters. The new mosques would be constructed in their same previous location, in the new Secretariat.
The new mosques after the construction will be handed over to the State Wakf Board. Temple will also be constructed in 1500 Square Feet and the temple after the construction will be handed over to the Endowments department.
Since there was a demand from the Christian Community that they should also have Church in the new Secretariat, the government acquiesced to it.
Telangana State treats all religions equally. It will practice religious tolerance. It is a symbol of Ganga Jamuna Tehjeeb.
Hence, new places of worship are constructed in the new secretariat for all the religions. After the Legislative Sessions, foundation stone for these places of worship will be laid on the same day.
We will expedite the construction of Anees-ul-Gurbah, the institution which gives shelter to the orphaned Muslim children and gives them education. Already 80 per cent of the construction works were done.
Another Rs 18 Crore is needed and it will be released and the construction works will then be completed speedily.
The government has decided to set up an Islamic Centre in Hyderabad at par with international standards. A piece of land was allocated for the purpose.
There was some delay in the construction work due to Corona Pandemic. Works on this centre will also be put on fast track very soon.
There is a need to have Burial places (Khabrastans) around the city of Hyderabad. We have requested Rangareddy and Medchal Collectors to identify the lands. They have identified some places. At several places in the city, 150 to 200 khabrastans will be created.
Due to widening of roads in Narayanpet, Asurkhana, was damaged. Instructions were given to the Collector concerned to identify the land and construct the Asurkhana.
“We are recognizing Urdu as the second official language in the State. Programmes will be organised for the protection and development of the Urdu language,” said the CM.
The development programmes for Urdu will be taken up by the Official Language Commission and a Vice President connected with Urdu language will be appointed in the Commission.
Home Minister Mohammed Ali, MP Asaduddin Owaisi, MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi, All India Muslim Personal Law Board member Moulana Mufti Khaleel Ahmed, Board Secretary Moulana Khalid Saifullah Rehmani, Board member and Majlis Ulema-e-Deccan President Moulana Syed Qubul Badhshah Shettari, Mautamim Darul Ulum Rehmania.
President Jamaiyat Ulema-e-Hind Moulana Mufti Ghiasuddin Rehmani, Amir-e-Jamia Nizamia Moulana Syed Akbar Nizamuddin Hussaini, Ameer-e-Jamat-e-Islamia Moulana Hamid Mohammed Khan Sahib, Tamir-e-Millat Vice President Moulana Ziauddin Nayyar, All India Muslim Personal Law Board Member and Hyderabad Nazim Darul Uloom Moulana Raheemuddin Ansari and others participated.
In a Press Conference at the All India Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen, the leaders mentioned praised Owaisi and Chief Minister KCR for bringing these reconstruction initiatives to fruition. AIMPLB Telangana’s Khalil Ahmed and All-India Majlis-e-Tameer-e-Millat heaped praised upon the AIMIM MP.
Though when asked about why he did not take any initiative during the initial demolition of the religious structures, he backtracked by saying “Wasn’t a mosque also demolished during YS Rajasekhar Reddy’s time? Congress, the grand old party must be asked such questions.”