Editorial
Sanctity of the national mosque
It cannot be allowed to be impinged on
IT is highly regrettable that on the past two successive Fridays Baitul Mukarram, the premier venue of Jumma congregation in the city, had to witness noisy disturbances, fisticuffs and even hurling of shoes centring around appointment of principal Md Salauddin as the new Khatib.
On Friday prior to the immediate past one, supporters of acting Khatib Mufti Moulana Nur Uddin and those of the newly appointed one engaged in brawl and even tossing of shoes at each other to the utter surprise and shock of the large body of faithfuls assembled to perform Jumma prayers. Although the designated new Khatib did not lead the prayers on that day, apparently in a bid to avert tension, yet when the acting Khatib started reading Khudba (sermon), supporters of the former created a furore. On the following Friday when the new Khatib began to conduct his first Jumma prayers, protests raged from his detractors triggering clashes in and outside the mosque. The breakaway group went for a separate Jam'at on the road near the north gate of the mosque in a show of protest in public.
All these do not only undermine the sanctity of an exalted religious place but also profoundly hurt the sensibilities of the faithfuls. Mosque being a place where people converge to supplicate before the Almighty in an atmosphere of tranquillity cannot be the place for chaotic scenes, far less for such an abominable act as hurling shoes around.
We have occasionally seen in the past some religion-based political parties or groups taking out processions from the mosque compound and organising political rallies outside its gate. Sometimes in the event of clashes with the police, political activists or pickets use the mosque premise as refuge. Now, we see an open tussle between two groups inside the mosque. Noticeably, different organisations with political label have been issuing statements in favour of either the newly appointed Khatib or the acting one. The government ought to deal with the issue firmly before it snowballs.
Mosques or religious places must be kept above political squabble and controversy of any sort whatsoever. It's a place for prayer and the relevant authorities in the government should get a move on to protect its sanctity at any cost.
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