Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Feb 5: Mosques are considered as holy religious centres of faith in Islam. Because of ill-founded propaganda indulged in by some people about the mosques, and false information spread about them, many view them with suspicion.
In order to clear the air of suspicion and remove lack of faith created by these rumours, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind organization, with the support of Muslim priests, has undertaken nation-wide programme of mosque visits (Masjid Darshana) all over Karnataka. This programme was held in various mosques across Karnataka. The main purpose of this programme is to invite Hindus and other non-Muslims to the mosques and practically showing them the routine activities going on in the mosques and religious rituals followed there.
Sometime ago, such a programme was organized at Bolangady mosque near Kalladka in Bantwal taluk and Uppinangady mosque. At the request of the mosque management committee, local Hindus, Hindu leaders etc had visited the mosques and taken part in the programme. Bantwal BJP legislator Rajesh Naik, former MLA Rukmaya Poojary, other leaders and a team of women had taken part in the programme. But now, discordant notes have been struck relating to the programme. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader, Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat, has raised his voice against the entry of Hindu women into mosques.
Bhat's remarks have given rise to a new dispute. Even though Masjid Darshana programme was organized indifferent parts of Karnataka, this programme was held only in two mosques of Dakshina Kannada district ie. Uppinangady and Bolangady mosques. At the Bolangady mosque, some Hindus were present while controversy arose after the name of Subrahmanya Swamiji was mentioned in the Uppinangady mosque programme. But he had not attended the programme. Under the aegis of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, respective mosque managements are organizing this programme. The management says this is meant to understand each other towards creating a more harmonious relationship. The visiting crowd is told about Azan(calling for namaz prayer), Wudu (ablution before prayer), namaz hall, spot of delivering Khutbah (discourses), library and other information is provided by Muslim clerics to drive away suspicions if any.
Even though the purpose of this programme appears to be good, the entry of Hindu women into mosques has been questioned through Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat's statement. The mosque visit programmes were conducted a few months ago. After Bhat aired his opposition to the programme, the issue has hogged limelight again.