New Delhi: A day after the Delhi High Court refused to stay a ceremony at the Jama Masjid here, the son of Shahi Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari, Saturday, is set to be anointed the Naib Imam of the 17th century mosque. Besides, thousands of Muslims will be present. There will be religious speeches, Ahmed Bukhari said.
Over 100 religious leaders from India and abroad will attend the ceremony today.
Ahmed Bukhari refused to comment on criticism against the event, telling a news agency yesterday: “I would respond to all the criticism in court.
He, however, welcomed the Delhi High Court’s decision. The central government and the Waqf Board told the court that the anointment of Naib Imam was “illegal” and had no legal sanctity. The two-and-half-hour ceremony will begin at 5.30 pm, he said. Among those expected to attend are Muslim leaders from Tunisia, Egypt, Malaysia, Indonesia and South Arabia.
Shaban Bukhari, 19, is pursuing his bachelors in social work at Amity University. The post of Naib Imam will put him in the line to become the Shahi Imam of the country’s largest mosque.
Ahmed Bukhari said: “Shaban needs to be groomed. I was appointed the Shahi Imam in 2000, which was 27 years after I became the Naib Imam.
Ahmed Bukhari refused to say if Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had accepted his invitation to attend the event – to which Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not been called. The Bukharis, originally from central Asia, have been the traditional custodians of the Jama Masjid since it was built during the Mughal era in the 17th century, facing the Red Fort.
Bureau Report
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