Cops urged to ensure no one harassed for prayers in pvt spaces

Mumbai: A recent Allahabad high court verdict allowing prayers on private premises without prior police nod has been welcomed by the Muslim community ahead of the month of Ramzan.Citing the order that said "there is no need to take permission to hold a religious prayer meeting on private property", community leaders, clerics and activists urged police to discourage groups that might harass minorities for holding prayers even at private spaces.
Ramzan begins on Feb 18 and community members hold tarawih, special prayers at night during the month. Many fear some miscreants may try to harass worshipers by complaining to police about tarawih prayers, which are held at mosques, homes, rooftops, terraces and even parking lots. In Jan, an FIR was filed against 12 men in Bareilly, UP, for praying at an empty house. Police had said there was no prior permission for holding the prayers at the place that was not a mosque. "The high court order should serve as a warning to those who try to obstruct prayers at private places," said Maulana Mahmood Daryabadi of All India Ulema Council, an organisation of religious leaders. Nasir Jamal, who has held tarawih prayers at his office rooftop for nearly three decades, said, "The court order should deter not just those who oppose prayers at private places but even those who use such congregational prayers to harass the community." Maulana Burhanuddin Qasmi, director of Markazul Maarif Education and Research Centre, an Andheri-based think tank, recalled that a couple of years ago, a video of a tarawih namaz shot by a drone camera had gone viral. "There was a fear that Muslim prayers would be monitored and obstructed, but fortunately nothing happened," he said. Many pointed out that Article 25 of the Constitution allows citizens the right "to freely profess, practise and propagate religion". "All citizens have the freedom to practise their religion. It is good that the court has given a positive verdict," said AIMIM leader Waris Pathan. Bandra resident Asif Farooqui, who holds tarawih prayers at his office, said, "During Ramzan, Muslims traditionally become more pious and may offer prayers in groups or with families. Such peaceful and private practices should not warrant unnecessary legal action."