Srinagar, October 20

(HS): Chief cleric of Kashmir

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Tuesday expressed concern over an eviction notice

reportedly served to the historic Race Course Mosque in New Delhi.

In a post on social

media, Mirwaiz said the mosque, which he described as a gazetted Waqf property

since 1977 and a listed heritage site, had been asked to vacate the premises

within six days.

He also expressed concern

over the reported failure of the Waqf authorities to defend the mosque, asking

whether such action against Muslim places of worship was becoming the new

normal.

“This is precisely why we

strongly opposed the Waqf amendments and increased government control through

appointed nominees over Muslim religious endowments,” he said.

“If even a legally

recognised mosque cannot be protected, what safeguards remain for others?” he

asked.

The mosque is at the

centre of a dispute after the Land and Development Office (L&DO) reportedly

issued a notice declaring the premises unauthorised and directing that they be

vacated within six days. The L&DO maintains that the property stands on

government land, while Muslim representatives have asserted its Waqf status.

Separately, the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has sought the

intervention of Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju to protect the

mosque and its adjoining graveyard amid the dispute.

Hindusthan Samachar / Zahoor Hassan Bhatt