Karnataka - Hubli-Dharwad   

Row in Hubli over reading `namaz' on Id-ul-Fitr

Staff Correspondent

HUBLI: The question of who should read "namaz" on Id-ul-Fitr at the Idgah Maidan here during the mass prayer has kicked up a controversy, resulting in a local court giving directions to the Anjuman-e-Islam, a premier Muslim organisation in north Karnataka.

Following differences among a section of the Muslim community over authorising Syed Basha Peera, a religious head to read "namaz" on Id-ul-Fitr, the former Minister and secretary of Anjuman-e-Islam Jabbar Khan Honnalli requested the police to provide security during the mass prayer, which is most likely on Tuesday.

Mr. Honnalli said that Zahiruddin Khazi, who used read "namaz" on "Id" days till recently, had refused to accept the invitation. He said he would agree only if the organisation gave him the "charter" to read "namaz" regularly.

Mr. Honnalli said since the Anjuman was not an authority to issue the "charter", it had asked him to approach the Wakf Board or the competent authority.

Meanwhile, three khazis — Zakir Khazi, Sameer Khaji and Hafiz Khaji — appealed to the Anjuman not to give the charter to Zahiruddin Khazi and claimed that they had one issued from the competent authority to read "namaz," he said.

Elders of the community and religious heads met under the aegis of Anjuman and decided to invite Syed Basha Peera to read "namaz," Mr. Honnalli said.

Then, Zakir Khazi approached the local court, and the Additional Civil Judge (Junior Division), Hubli, directed the Anjuman-e-Islam on Saturday to allow Zakir Khazi to read "namaz" on this Id-ul-Fitr only.

"Since we had already invited Mr. Peera to read "namaz," we convinced Zakir Khazi to read the "Qutba" (Islamic sermons) instead of namaz", Mr. Honnalli said.

On why he approached the police, the former Minister said there were a few people within the community who he believed were likely to create problems during the mass prayer. He also alleged that some leaders were trying to get political mileage out of the issue.

However, those who were opposing the move to allow Mr. Peera to read "namaz" contend that only "qualified" persons belonging to Khaji families have the right to read it during mass prayers. By allowing a person belonging to other than Khaji family to read "namaz," the Anjuman was acting against the tradition, they say.

They even alleged that Mr. Peera was invited to read "namaz" only because he happened to be the father of Tazuddin Khadri, a member of Education of Board of Anjuman-e-Islam. Most of them have already decided not to attend the mass prayer at the controversial Idgah Maidan, adjacent to Kittur Rani Channamma Circle. Instead, they would offer prayers at the Idgah Maidan in old Hubli, where a "Khaji" would read "namaz."

Although chances of disturbance at the mass prayer are unlikely, the police are not taking any chances.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Row in Hubli over reading `namaz' on Id-ul-Fitr
Kannada writers told to be patient
Kittur Rani Chennamma's `Vijayotsava' celebrated in a befitting manner
Da. Ra. Bendre is the best, says Kanavi
Crackdown begins on rash driving
`Vijayotsava' of Rani Chennamma celebrated
Traffic curbs for Id prayers in Hubli
Book on Kalam released

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu