Did Shahabuddin Razvi Condemn SP's Meeting Inside Mosque?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The mosque is intended solely for worship, not political discussions.
- Allegations have arisen regarding the sanctity of religious spaces.
- Razvi's comments reflect broader concerns within the Muslim community.
- The incident could lead to significant political repercussions.
- Calls for accountability within religious leadership are becoming more prominent.
New Delhi, July 23 (NationPress) The president of the All-India Muslim Jamaat, Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, expressed strong disapproval on Wednesday regarding a political gathering reportedly conducted within a mosque on Delhi's Parliament Street. He has called for the swift dismissal of the mosque's Imam, Maulana Mohibullah Nadvi.
In a statement provided to IANS, Razvi accused Nadvi, who serves as an MP from Rampur, of transforming the revered mosque setting into a “political arena,” thereby breaching Islamic tenets that designate mosques exclusively for worship.
“A mosque is a sanctuary for God, intended for prayers, not politics. Islam strictly prohibits worldly and political discussions within mosque walls,” Razvi articulated to IANS.
This statement follows the emergence of photographs depicting SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, alongside MPs Dharmendra Yadav (Azamgarh), Ziaur Rahman Barq (Sambhal), Dimple Yadav, and several other SP leaders, convening in the mosque's central courtyard with Imam Mohibullah Nadvi, igniting a political uproar.
“Permitting political figures, including non-Muslims, to conduct meetings inside the mosque is not only a serious transgression but also a profound affront to its sanctity,” Razvi emphasized.
He insisted that the mosque committee should remove Nadvi from his Imam position and that Nadvi must issue an apology to the Muslim community. “Should Nadvi fail to seek forgiveness, a widespread protest will ensue, led by Muslim youth, scholars, and organizations,” Razvi warned, stressing that the Imam must vow to prevent such political activities in the mosque in the future.
The controversy arose after Akhilesh Yadav and senior SP officials visited the Parliament Street Mosque on Tuesday evening.
The BJP has denounced the incident as a political stunt, drawing criticism from religious figures like Razvi.
As the issue escalates, it has sparked discussions regarding the fusion of faith and politics, as well as the boundaries of political expression in sacred spaces. To date, the mosque committee has not released a statement.