Listen to us, win hearts of Muslims: Jama Masjid shahi imam to PM Modi

A teary-eyed Syed Ahmed Bukhari, shahi imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid, appealed to PM Narendra Modi to "talk to the Muslims of the country", during Friday prayers at the famed mosque. Amidst rising communal tension and the recent violence in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal, Bukhari also expressed his concern for India's Muslim community.

“We are in a situation worse than the one we were in 1947. No one knows which way the country will go in the future," he said. Bukhari urged the PM to take immediate cognisance and said, “You (PM Modi) should do justice to the chair you are sitting on. Win the hearts of Muslims. Stop the miscreants who are trying to create tension and affecting the atmosphere of the country."

Bukhari said, "Understand the pain faced by Muslims and change their present situation, it is imperative." To do so, he suggested that three Hindus and three Muslims be invited to discuss the tension at present.

Bukhari's appeal came after five people were killed and several others injured in the violent clashes that occurred on 24 November as an aftermath of a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid built by the Mughals, in Kot Garvi, Sambhal.

Hindutva outfits claim that the mosque was built over a Harihar temple, following which many such claims have been made over the historical validity of mosques across the country. A plea was filed at Rajasthan court which claims that the historic Ajmer Sharif dargah was built over a Shiva temple.

Bukhari said, “The ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) has told us that they have no intention of surveying Delhi Jama Masjid, but the government should seriously think about the survey being done in Sambhal-Ajmer and other places. All these things are not good for the country. I only say that moments committed mistakes, centuries were punished… how long will the country run like this? How long will Hindu-Muslim, temple-mosque continue?"