Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Raises Concern Over Notice to Vacate Historic Race Course Mosque in Delhi

Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Maulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq has expressed deep concern over a notice directing the vacation of the historic Race Course Mosque in New Delhi within six days.

Mirwaiz said the mosque had reportedly been registered as a religious property since 1977 and was recognised as a historical heritage site. He questioned how a religious property with a long-established status could face such a notice and raised concerns about the protection being provided by the authorities responsible for managing religious endowments. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

He also expressed concern over reports that the relevant religious property authorities had failed to adequately defend and protect the mosque.

Questioning whether such developments could become a pattern affecting Muslim places of worship, Mirwaiz called for greater safeguards for religious properties and institutions.

He said the concerns were among the reasons his organisation had opposed amendments to the Waqf law that, in its view, increased government control over Muslim religious endowments and the appointment of representatives responsible for managing them.

“If the protection of a legally recognised mosque cannot be ensured, what guarantee remains for the protection of other mosques and religious properties?” was the concern raised by Mirwaiz.

He said the developments highlighted issues repeatedly raised by his organisation regarding the autonomy of Muslim religious institutions, accountability of Waqf authorities and safeguards against arbitrary action and unnecessary interference.

Mirwaiz stressed the need to ensure that religious properties receive adequate legal protection and that the institutions entrusted with their management can fulfil their responsibilities effectively.