Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Sep 21: Mohammed Iqbal, member of Katipalla Jumma Masjid governing council, said at a press conference held here on Monday September 20, that five members of Panambur Muslim Jamaat had filed a public interest litigation in the state High Court against the expelled governing council of the said mosque.

In the past, Jamaat members had complained to the district wakf board, complaining that the expelled committee headed by P M Salim Rafi had not convened the general body meetings of Katipalla Jumma Masjid governing council since the last four yeaqrs. “The Board sought clarifications from the council through a notice. As no satisfactory response was forthcoming, it dismantled the governing council headed by Salim Rafi and appointed B S Husainabba Jokatte as administrative officer. The expelled committee, by furnishing fake documents to the wakf board, got its term extended till 2011. Through its deceitful act, the committee cheated the entire Jamaat,” he alleged.

He said that the then treasurer of the council, Rafi Ahmed, had resigned two years ago, objecting to the financial management style of the council. A valuator was appointed to inspect works conducted in the mosque and check the accounts kept therein, he said. Noting that the members of the dismantled council were unhappy with the valuation report, he asked them to approach the High Court and get a fresh valuator appointed through the court, to get their doubts cleared.

He insisted that an election should be held at the earliest for the Masjid’s governing council through the Jamaat. He demanded that the voting should be through secret ballot.

Jamaat members, P Mayyaddi, P M Mohammed Sharif, Rafi Ahmed and T Ahmed were present.