Udupi, January 01: The members of Sangh pairvar stopped the muslims from praying the Friday congregation in Udupi’s Kodavoor Jumah Masjid which comes under the vicinity of Malpe police station. This incident not only worry the Muslims of the particular area, but also those in the neighboring areas.
It is alleged that When Muslims informed the police about the incident, surprisingly the police officers themselves asked the Muslims to stop heading towards that particular Masjid for next three days and avoid the offering of Namaz. Tension prevailed in the entire Udupi area as the news spread like the forest fire and the grief and temper of the Muslims were observable.
According to the sources, The Juma Masjid, called as Kalimath Jamia Masjid dates back to the era of Tipu Sultan. According to the local Muslims, 67 acers of land surrounding the mosque belongs to mosque and it is the property of the WAKF board, but the people have acquired the entire land illegally except the 5 cents on which the mosque stands. The Muslims had approached the AC court for this matter and the AC had almost agreed to return the land to the Muslims.
But some activist of Sangh Parivar protested aginst this move, and took the matter to the court and presently this case is under the Udupi session courts supervision. Muslims allege that from the time this case has reached the courts, some of the activists are always behind stopping the Muslim’s from praying in the mosque making issues out of nothing.
According to Mr. Abdu Rasheed, one of the members of the Masjid, said that a tablighi jaamat from Gujrat had come to the mosque on Thursday. Making this as an issue some of the Sangh parivar members objected and lodged a complaint in the police station stating that the mosque has been occupied by the terrorists. The police called the Jamat people to the station for the investigation and later released them after verification and knowing the truth. Making this as an issue, the Sangh parivar members stopped the Muslims from going to mosque on Friday and locked the gates of mosque. When the Muslims tried to make their way to the Friday congregation they were abused and stopped. On this isuue, the PSI of Malpe police station asked the Muslims not to enlarge the issue and discontinue praying in the mosque for the next three days. According to Mr. Abdul Rasheed, PSI told them that the Deputy Commissioner will be back after three days, so they would be able to pray in the mosque only after setting up meeting with him.
Talking to the SahilOnline, the Secretary of Komu soharda vedike, Mr. Muhammed Hussain said that the Kodavoor area have very less Muslim population, but around 80 to 90 people are attending for the Friday congregation. He added that the Muslims stay in far off places around the mosque, and the area around the mosque has been acquired illegally by others. He said that it is very surprising that such an old mosque which dates back to the Tipu era is being asked to refrain from praying Friday congregation. “It is the duty of the police to provide security to the mosque and make sure that the prayers are allowed to offer on time”, he said. He condemn the incident and warn that his organisation will surely fight against such a hilarious incident.
Talking on phone to the SahilOnline, the Udupi Superintendent of Police Dr. Ravi Kumar said that the land dispute of this mosque is under supervision in the court. He said that he was visited on the incident site and permitted the Muslims to pray in the mosque. He said that the Jumah congregation was offered in the mosque and the news about not offering the prayers in the mosque is wrong. He said that some miscreants had tried to stop the Muslims but the police took the control of the situation and additional police force was assigned around the particular mosque. He said that the situation is under control and the Muslims don’t have to fear about anything.
Abdul Rasheed later informed that after the intervention of SP Dr Ravi Kumar, asar and maghrib prayers in the mosque was offered peacefully.
–Source: Sahilonline.org