Muslim protest notice for Ambar mosque demolition

Lucknow, May 9 (UNI) After demanding equal rights to women for offering 'namaz' at mosques, All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board (AIMWPLB) today held a common 'Jume-ka-namaz' to protest the notice sent to their mosque by Awas Vikas here.

More than 40 women offered 'namaz' along with males to show their solidarity in protesting the notice for the demolition of a portion of the Ambar mosque, situated near the SGPGI hospital on the Lucknow Rae Bareli road.

Talking to UNI, AIMWPLB chairperson Saista Amber said the mosque was constructed in 1999 on a private land, but now the notice has been served 'intentionally' to demolish the religious place.

''There is no other mosque in the area and Muslim gather in a large number to offer the prayer daily,'' she said, adding such notices will certainly hurt the sentiments of the people.

Few days back Ms Amber had demanded setting up of separate mosques for women in Northern India.

The AIMWPLB insists that the women, who go to pray in general mosques must be given women imams.

She said she herself built the mosque on the Rae Bareli Road, which lets Muslim women to pray. ''I pray there myself and I encourage other women to join prayer in the mosque, ''she said.

On Feburary 5, 1999, Late Hazrat Maulana Ali Miyan laid the fondation stone of this mosque.

UNI MB JAS SLD ND1930