Mangalore, Feb 16: K Rahman Khan, Union Minister for Minority Affairs, formally inaugurated the renovated 'Kudroli Jamia Masjid' building here on Saturday.
Mr. Khan in his inaugural address appreciated the efforts of the executive committee of Jamia Masjid Kudroli for working towards attaining a merger of two separate masjids and jamaths which were in place earlier.
“The most difficult task in the Muslim community today is achieving unity. The fact that people here have managed to unite two separate jamaths which were running two separate masjids is, a bigger achievement than constructing the masjid itself”, Mr. Khan said.
Urging Muslims to hold on to the teachings of the Quran and follow the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Mr. Khan said that besides offering prayers in the masjids, Muslims must also not forget their duty of serving humanity.
“The Quran came as guidance for the whole of mankind. It speaks about service to humanity. This is an occasion to introspect as to how well we have succeeded in spreading the message of peace and harmony and serving mankind”, he said.
Moulana Mufti Mohammed Ashraf Ali Baquai, Member, All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Ameer-e-Shariath, Karnataka State, and Vice-President, All India Milli Council, expressing his thoughts on the occasion said that Allah dislikes people who make divisions and groups and termed the inauguration of the Kudroli Jamia Masjid as a 'special' one as an attempt has been made to unite two separate jamaths. The masjid will serve as a model for warring groups and committees in the community and help in elimination of internal conflicts, thereby nurturing greater cooperation and understanding, he said.
K S Mohammed Masood, President, Jamia Masjid Kudroli Committee, said in his introductory remarks that the twin mosques which were earlier known as 'Jodu Palli', trace their roots back to the time of Tipu Sultan. Soldiers of Tipu's army patrolling the nearby Sultan Battery needed a prayer house to offer prayers and hence a masjid was constructed at Kudroli. Over the years, due to lack of space, another masjid was built next to it and the two mosques would function under two separate Jamaths. In 2006, during his tenure as Chairman of Karnataka State Minorities Commission, the idea of merger of two masjids and formation of a single jamath gained momentum and approval for the same was obtained from the Wakf Board, Mr. Masood said.
N Yogish Bhat, Deputy Speaker, Karnataka Legislative Assembly, sharing his thoughts on the occasion said that Mangalore which already boasts of unique places of worship such as the Mangaladevi Temple, Kudroli Gokarnatheshwara Temple, St Aloysius College Chapel and the like, has included another landmark place of worship on its map in the form of Jamia Masjid Kudroli. Stating that the masjid is one of the most beautifully constructed buildings in the whole of Dakshina Kannada district, Mr. Bhat wished that the place of worship also acts as a centre for service to the downtrodden.
The ambulance service of Jamia Masjid Kudroli was also inaugurated by the Union Minister on the occasion.
The new building of the masjid has been built at a cost of Rs 4.5 crore, based on the Mughal architectural model, possessing striking resemblance to the renowned Delhi Jamia Masjid. The masjid possesses 134 ft minarets to go with an attractive dome and long arcs. Services of Mumbai architect Ahmed Abdulla Kasu, Bangalore architect Abdul Qavi, Structural Architect Premananda Shenoy of Mangalore and M.Far Constructions were taken for the construction of the masjid.
Thwaka Ahmed Musliyar, Mangalore Qazi, U T Khader, MLA, Mohammed Obaidulla Sharief, Member, National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language, Government of India, Abdul Azeez Kudroli, former Kudroli Corporator, Y Abdulla Kunhi, President, Zeenath Baksh Jumma Masjid and Idgah Masjid, Mangalore, Ivan D'Souza, KPCC Secretary, Vijay Kumar Shetty, Former MLA, B A Moideen, Former Minister, were among the dignitaries present.
Moulana Ameeruddin rendered Qirath. S A Khaleel, Chief Secretary, Jamia Masjid Kudroli Committee, welcomed. Maqbool Ahmed, Secretary, proposed the vote of thanks.
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