Hundreds offer Friday namaz at 'Akbarabadi mosque' ruins

On Friday, hundreds of people offered namaz at the spot where the archaeological remains of what is being claimed as the historical Akbarabadi Masjid were found last week.

On Friday, hundreds of people offered namaz at the spot where the archaeological remains of what is being claimed as the historical Akbarabadi Masjid were found last week.

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Muslim community members led by Matia Mahal MLA Shoaib Iqbal had carried out digging at the site - originally identified for the proposed underground Jama Masjid Metro station - that had led to the discovery of the remains last week.

"The mosque is associated with the freedom movement of 1857. Hundreds of people gathered here on Friday and offered prayers after 155 years. Delhi Police and the administration also supported us.

We will now build temporary sheds to protect the people from rain while offering namaz," Iqbal said.

According to the traffic police, the road from Subhash Park to Delhi Gate was blocked for an hour during the afternoon namaz. Traffic from ISBT was diverted towards Ring Road and no vehicle was allowed into Daryaganj, which led to snarls.

Meanwhile, in a report submitted to the director general of the Archaeological Survey of India last week, its Delhi circle has suggested that the site where ruins were found needed further investigation.