Delhi Race Course mosque faces demolition threat; temple priest extends support
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Hyderabad: As the century-old mosque inside Delhi’s Race Course Club faces the threat of demolition, Imam Mohammed Haroon has received support from an unexpected quarter — the priest of a temple located nearby.
Temple priest Keshav Raj Shastri said mosques and temples should never be demolished and described the imam as an old friend.
“Masjid aur mandir tho kabhi nahi todna chahiye. Maulana sahab mere purane dost hai. Hum jaathe-aathe hai, baath hothi hai (Mosques and temples should never be demolished. Maulana sahib is an old friend of mine. We visit each other, and we talk),” Shastri told reporters.
The mosque is situated near Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence within the Race Course Club, which spreads over about 53 acres. The club and surrounding slum settlements are being cleared following several rounds of litigation.
The mosque, a Grade II heritage structure notified in 2009, is registered with the Delhi Waqf Board and can accommodate around 800 worshippers.
The Centre has told the Delhi High Court that “national security” was the reason for taking possession of the area.
Shastri, who has served as a temple priest for 15 years, said there had never been any untoward incident in the area. “I do not know what the situation is,” he said.
He said the electricity connection to the temple had been cut. The mosque has had no power and water supply for more than a week.
“We have not served any notice. We are able to do pooja. We are four people with two children,” he said, adding that officials had assured him the temple would not be demolished.
“Lekin hum masjid ke samarthan mein hoon (I stand to support the mosque),” he said.
On Friday, October 23, a visibly emotional Imam Haroon offered prayers during the Jummah congregation.
“Oh Allah, please help us. You are our only hope. Our faith is being tested,” the elderly imam pleaded, as worshippers stood in silence beside him.
Men and women prayed quietly for the preservation of the mosque and the restoration of their dignity.