Aligarh shahar mufti directs mosques to hold Friday’s namaz on terraces instead of roads

AGRA: In a significant decision, the Aligarh Shehar mufti, Mohammad Khalid Hameed, on Tuesday directed administrators of all the mosques in the city to make arrangements for offering "Friday namaz" on the terrace instead of the roads.
The announcement by the shehar mufti came after the members of the community met the district administrative officials, in light of the recent order of the district magistrate banning all religious activities on the streets.The meeting comes close on the heels of the incident of Muslims offering the last Friday’s namaz outside the mosque, Bu-ali-sha, violating the administration’s ban.
Talking to TOI, Hameed, said that though there is no provision of offering namaz on roads, people sometimes do so due to lack of space inside the mosque. He said, "I have conveyed to all the mosques' administrators regarding this and they will have to make arrangements on terrace if required."
He added that no new tradition will be started but on special occasions like Eid and Bakrid, people will offer namaz on roads at Jama Masjid and Eidgah as a lot of people gather there then. He said, he however, could not attend the meeting of local administrative officials as he was not feeling well and talked to them on phone.
District magistrate CB Singh said that for special occasions, the mosques or any other religious institution will have to take a prior permission, which will be provided to them. He said, "if anyone is caught violating the ban, strict action will be taken against the administrator of the place of worship, irrespective of the religion". He added that officials will make videography of such violations.
The DM added that Muslim leaders and mayor Mohammad Furkan also supported this stand and assured that it will be followed by their community members.
Right wing activists and Hindu leaders who attended the meeting organised by the Aligarh administration regarding the ban on religious activities, said that they will not do anything until the members of the other community violate the ban.
"We will perform Aarti or recite hanuman chalisa on roads, if Muslims offer Friday namaz on roads," said Gaurav Sharma, convenor of Bajrang Dal in Aligarh.