New Delhi, May 3: Senior members of the Muslim community expressed their approval on Saturday of the Allahabad High Court’s ruling, which stated that the right to practice religion does not extend to transforming private spaces into areas for public gatherings without regulations.
The court dismissed a petition seeking permission and police protection for regular prayers on alleged private land in Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh.
Praising the court’s decision, Muslim cleric Maulana Chaudhary Ibrahim Hussain stated, “In Islam, prayers should not be conducted in places where disputes may arise. There should be a designated space for prayers.”
He added, “Therefore, this ruling is beneficial both from an Islamic perspective and a legal standpoint.”
Hussain emphasized that such a decision was necessary. He noted that with people of various religions coexisting in India, maintaining mutual harmony is essential.
He further remarked, “If members of a particular community begin to perform their religious rituals in public spaces, it could hurt the sentiments of others.”
The cleric continued, “Moreover, public places are meant for general use. Thus, it is better that these areas are utilized solely for that purpose, avoiding any potential conflicts.”
Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Rizvi Barelvi, national president of the All India Muslim Jamaat, also supported the court’s decision.
He reiterated, “Shariat-e-Islamia also states that prayers should not be performed in contentious locations.”
Barelvi added, “Furthermore, prayers should not be conducted in places that may be objectionable to anyone.”
He pointed out that public areas tend to be noisy and crowded, making them unsuitable for religious observances.
Barelvi stressed that such locations often see ambulances passing through, so prayers should not obstruct the way.
He advised, “It is far better to pray in quiet and secure places like mosques or homes.”
However, Barelvi noted that some individuals, particularly “misguided youth,” have turned prayer into a “subject of mockery.”
Iqbal Ansari, a former litigant in the Babri Masjid case, emphasized that rules and laws apply to everyone.
He stated, “We believe that mosques are built for prayers. While people sometimes pray in public spaces, prayers should ideally be held in mosques.”
Ansari also remarked, “This is a good decision that should be adhered to.”
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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