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Save Mecca Masjid campaign gains support
Save Mecca Masjid campaign by social activists, heritage lovers and political affiliates is gaining strength and momentum with more organisations joining hands for the cause. Though it has raked up a political cold war in old city, people associated with the campaign call it an ‘apolitical’ and a campaign to save the heritage structure.
Hyderabad: Save Mecca Masjid campaign by social activists, heritage lovers and political affiliates is gaining strength and momentum with more organisations joining hands for the cause. Though it has raked up a political cold war in old city, people associated with the campaign call it an ‘apolitical’ and a campaign to save the heritage structure.
The delegations of all Party members have been visiting Mecca Masjid and trying to raise the issue with the authorities. Videographs and photographs of the damaged spots in the Mecca Masjid have been made public by the activists.
Osman Alhajri, who is spearheading this entire campaign said his campaign to save the mosque was winning accolades among not only Muslims but also the history lovers and those who want to see the history restored.
He said, “Our major agenda now is to pressurise the State government to take up the repair works immediately and protect the monument from further dilapidation. We do not intend to make this a political stunt anyway and we want to do this entire exercise in a democratic framework.”
Talks with different organisations are under way to join the cause and we hope that these efforts would reap fruitful results, he added.
Majlis Bachao Tahreek (MBT) leader Amjadullah Khan said the mosque had been the subject of continuous neglect by the successive governments for the past 20 years. There was a hope that the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government would do something concrete to restore the mosque but, it looks like a day dream, he lamented.
Amjadullah said, “The only occasion when government remembers Mecca Masjid is during Ramzan when they give some statements. In the year 2014 government announced Rs 10 crore for the repair works of mosque; Rs 12 crore and Rs 15 crore in the following years but funds were not released so far for the work.”
Whatever the funds government releases, it is given to either GHMC or R&B and both the departments do not have the required expertise or experts to take up the restoration works at Mecca Masjid, he pointed out.
Asserting the need of an expert committee, he said the government must take up the repair works at Mecca Masjid in three phases. Firstly, the restoration of the structure, secondly removing encroachments and lastly laying proper sewer lines in the premises.
