Build masjid away from ‘birthplace of Ram’: Shia board

The Sunni board has no stake in the case since the mosque was a Shia property

A mosque can be built in a Muslim-dominated area at a reasonable distance from the “most revered place of birth of Ram” in Ayodhya, the Shia wakf board told the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

The affidavit submitted by the Uttar Pradesh Shia board takes a position opposite to that of the Sunni board that claims ownership of the disputed site and rejects Hindu groups’ claims to the spot, highlighting differences within the Muslim community over the contentious issue.

“To bring a quietus to the issue, masjid (mosque) can be located in a Muslim-dominated area at a reasonable distance from the most revered place of birth of Ram,” said the 30-page affidavit.

Proximity of “place of worships should be avoided in as much as both denominations using loudspeakers tend to disturb religious performance of each other often leading to conflicts and acrimony”, it said.

The board also told the court the mosque site was its property and only it was entitled to hold negotiations for an amicable settlement of the dispute.

The document comes three days before the Supreme Court begins hearing challenges to an Allahabad high court verdict on the land dispute in the case.

“The Sunni board has no stake in the case since the mosque was a Shia property,” it said of the Mughal-era mosque that was demolished by a Hindu mob in 1992.

CONTINUED ON P 6