The Bu Ali Shah mosque on Friday was packed with hundreds of devotees, waiting to offer the regular Friday namaz. Just one difference though: Unlike every week where they offered namaz on the streets, people thronged in large numbers to occupy the praying area at the ground floor, first floor and even the terrace and roofs.
The development comes after District Magistrate Chandra Bhushan issued instructions against either offering namaz or reciting Hanuman Chalisa on the streets. The decision came after some Hindutva groups planned the recitation of Hanuman Chalisa to protest the offering of namaz on roads.
On Friday, the police officials were deployed outside the mosque to ensure that people do not pray on the roads. In addition to this, magistrates were stationed all over the city. The muftis of the mosque also appealed to the devotees to cooperate with the administration.
Changing Ways
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The development comes after DM Chandra Bhushan issued instructions against
either offering namaz or reciting Hanuman Chalisa on the streets |
| Police officials were deployed outside the mosque to ensure that people do not pray on the roads. The mosque muftis also appealed for cooperation |
Some members from the community also organised alternate arrangements for people to pray namaz. "Last week, some officials from Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) ordered us not to offer namaz on the street. Post that, we have made arrangements for the namaz on upper floors and terrace. There is a shortage of space, but it can't be helped," said Mohammad Shahid, a member who made arrangements.
Welcoming the move by the DM, Ashok Pandey, national spokesperson of Hindu Mahasabha, said, "It was due to this order that no prayers were offered on the roads, but people stood in terraces for namaz. I urge the state government to come up with a similar move throughout the state."
Meanwhile, Additional District Magistrate Rakesh Malpani said, "The administration will always ensure that peace prevails in the region. The police force and Magistrate's sector scheme works together in Aligarh."
—Zee Media Newsroom
