UP Sunni Board Appoints BJP Leader Haji Arafat To Lead Construction Of Babri Masjid-Substitute Mosque In Ayodhya

Mumbai's Haji Arafat Shaikh has been appointed to lead the development of the new mosque to be constructed in Ayodhya, following the Supreme Court's order, in lieu of the now-demolished Babri Masjid.

Haji Arafat, a BJP leader and former Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Minorities, is a well-known Muslim community leader with a history of social initiatives according to a report from Deccan Herald.

The decision to name the mosque 'Muhammad Bin Abdullah Masjid' was made by the All India Rabta-e-Masjid in October.

Zafar Farooqui, President of the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Board, has chosen Haji Arafat as the chief of the development committee responsible for overseeing the mosque's construction.

The appointment was made in the presence of Abdullah Ibn Qamar, Dr Abid Syed, and Maulana Muhammad Madani Abdul Rab.

Expressing his pride in being entrusted with the responsibility, Haji Arafat stated, "I will give my best for the job which has been entrusted to me. It is a matter of pride for me that I have been chosen to lead the project which would be an example in the world."

Farooqui emphasised that Haji Arafat's appointment as Chairperson of the development committee and Trustee of the Indo-Islamic Culture Centre would have a lasting impact.

He mentioned that Arafat, in addition to overseeing the mosque's construction, would also address the issues of the Muslim community.

Haji Arafat, speaking to the media, expressed his pride in the resolution of the longstanding issue and the prospect of building a mosque at the designated site.

He stated, "God willing, I will definitely complete this mosque. In this noble work, I will take the help of all the religious scholars, religious leaders, Islamic scholars from every religion and every region of the country. The mosque will be constructed only after considering all Shariat aspects."