Mangalore: Row over Ullal mosque - Muslim associations decry Wakf order
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SS)
Mangalore, Oct 31: Members of the Muslim community led by Sunni Yuvajana Sangha and Federation of Dakshina Kannada District Muslim Associations on Thursday October 31 held a protest in front of the DC's office here against a controversial order given by the Karnataka state Wakf board.
The Karnataka state Wakf board had issued a stay order on performing Friday prayers (Juma Namaz) at a mosque opposite Ullal Dargah, against which the Muslim associations of DK district protested. Matters came to a head when, on October 18, when two Sunni groups clashed during Friday prayers at the mosque, resulting in injuries to several people and use of force by police. The following week, prayers were held again in a show of defiance amid tight police security.
K I Abdul Khader Kukkila said, “Ullal has been a religious place for Muslim community for years together, there are over 15 mosques in Ullal, for which religious heads are appointed and given the responsibility to make assessments.”
“The Madarasas are under the Dargah committee, and decision regarding them should be taken by the committee alone rather than the state government which has decided to change the educational curriculum,”’ he added.
K I Abdul Khader Kukkila also introduced the delegates on the dais.
Jabbar Musliyar, member of the Untied Muslim organization of DK district led the protest.
Addressing the gathering, he said, “It is extremely disheartening to know that the Wakf board in its notice issued on October 24 to Mohiuddin Juma Masjid has declared that offering Juma prayers at the masjid is 'haram' (prohibited)."
“This declaration is against Shariah (Islamic law) and the Muslim community condemns such violations by the board," he added.
Criticizing health minster U T Khadar for his alleged role played in the issue as he was said to have been present at the Wakf board meeting despite not being a member, Jabbar Musliyar said that he has 'worked against the religion and has no rights to take such decisions'.
In his presidential address former mayor K Ashraf said, “The police had tried to prevent Juma prayers at the same Masjid on October 25. The Wakf committee is cannot take decisions for the Mosque.”
“In a meeting conducted by the Wakf committee, Mangalore north MLA Mohiuddin Bava, health minister U T Khadar, ACP Pavan K, Jame Abdul Kunj, Riyaz Khan and Shafi Sayyedi decided that prayers should not be performed at the mosque. Such interference is not appreciated in religious matters,” he added.
Ashraf also said, “It is sad that even MLA Mohiuddin Bava is also in support of this. We won’t give up our identity and religion for the sake of our political careers.”
The three demands put forth before the state government by the federation are - to discard the order no KSBW/MSC/1/DKD/2012-13 passed on October 24 by state Wakf board which puts interim stay on Juma Namaz; to terminate Riyaz Khan and Shafi from the board; and lastly, to authorize the Qazi or the religious heads to take decisions on the Madrasas and mosques without the interference of political leaders.
Sayed Zanul Abidin Tangal, Farook Ullal, Mustafa Ullal, Mohammad Faizi, N A Nellikunnu, MLA of Kasargod, Shaikuna M A Kasim, P B Abdul Razak, MLA of Manjeshwar, Abdul Aziz Darimi, K R Hussain Darimi and others were present.
Watch Video