New Mosque
In a symbolic move towards reconciliation, as Hindu devotees prepare for the inauguration of a grand temple in Ayodhya, India’s Muslims are gearing up to commence the construction of a new mosque in the same city later this year. Haji Arfat Shaikh, head of the development committee of the Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation (IICF), announced that the mosque project’s construction would kick off in May, after the holy month of Ramazan, with an estimated completion time of three to four years.
The backdrop to this initiative stems from a tragic chapter in India’s history, as a Hindu mob demolished a 16th-century mosque in Ayodhya in 1992, sparking deadly riots that claimed around 2,000 lives, primarily Muslims. In 2019, India’s top court declared the demolition unlawful but mandated the construction of a Hindu temple on the site and allocated alternative land in the city for a mosque.
While the $180 million temple’s construction began promptly and is set to open its first phase soon, Muslim groups faced challenges in fundraising and initiating work at a distant site. The Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation struggled to garner funds and delayed its plans. Zufar Ahmad Faruqi, the president of IICF, acknowledged the absence of a public movement for funds, hindering progress on the mosque project.
In contrast to the successful three-decade-long fundraising campaign by Hindu groups aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Muslim efforts faced obstacles. The mosque project underwent revisions to incorporate traditional elements like minarets, and plans for a 500-bed hospital within the complex were added.
Despite these challenges, the IICF is set to launch a crowd-funding website in the coming weeks. Haji Arfat Shaikh emphasized the project’s broader goal of fostering unity, irrespective of differing perspectives on the Supreme Court’s judgment, asserting that teaching positive values to future generations is essential to quell enmity and hatred.
I am a dynamic professional, specializing in Peace and Conflict Studies, Conflict Management and Resolution, and International Relations. My expertise is particularly focused on South Asian Conflicts and the intricacies of the Indian Ocean and Asia Pacific Politics. With my skills as a Content Writer, I serve as a bridge between academia and the public, translating complex global issues into accessible narratives. My passion for fostering understanding and cooperation on the national and international stage drives me to make meaningful contributions to peace and global discourse.
