'Mosques for prayers, not socialising'

The notice that was earlier put up at the mosque’s entry gates said, “Jama Masjid mein ladki ya ladkiyon ka akele daakhla mana hai (The entry of a girl, or girls, on their own is not permitted in Jama Masjid).

- Anuja Jaiswal

New Delhi: Explaining why he had ordered a ban on the entry of “unaccompanied girls” at Jama Masjid — an order that was revoked later on Thursday — Shahi Imam Ahmed Bukhari said that mosques were for offering prayers, not a meeting or a socialising point for anyone. “Only Muslims girls were usually caught loitering around,” he claimed, adding that no restrictions had been placed on them for offering prayers.

Earlier in the day, public relation officer of Jama Masjid Sabiullah said that the decision was taken after some undesirable incidents were reported in the premises of the mosque. “This is a religious place and people come here for worship, not for entertainment. This place is meant for offering prayers not for enjoyment, and restrictions are placed for them only,” he said. However, he had no answer as to why only girls had been banned and not boys.