Mumbai development plan: 100 mosques listed as commercial residential

Adding to the list of discrepancies, Muslim activists and activists have found that 100 religious structures such as the Jama Masjid near Crawford Market, Hindustani Masjid in Byculla, Hamidiya Masjid in Pydhonie, Nawab Masjid in Bhendi Bazaar and Markaz Masjid on Mohammed Ali Road have been marked as commercial residential.

Adding to the list of discrepancies, Muslim activists and activists have found that 100 religious structures such as the Jama Masjid near Crawford Market, Hindustani Masjid in Byculla, Hamidiya Masjid in Pydhonie, Nawab Masjid in Bhendi Bazaar and Markaz Masjid on Mohammed Ali Road have been marked as commercial residential.

“Activists and architects have been holding meetings with the community members and civic officials over the issue for the past two weeks,” said Sayeed Khan, an activist who runs NGO Right Way.

The community members are also looking at the situation in the suburbs.

The Jama Masjid in Bandra and Khar, and Sabri Masjid in Jogeshwari, too, have been put under the commercial residential category, said an architect from the community, who is studying the DP, on condition of anonymity.

“Putting it in the wrong slot may facilitate construction activities on the plots,” said Khan.

BMC councillor Javed Juneja said, “A lot of members have approached me with grievances. We will meet the civic officials soon. If put under this category, mosques may be asked to pay rent and electricity bills, for which they have no source of income.”

Maulana Ather Ather Ali, principal of a madrassa attached to the Minara Masjid, said, “A part of our structure, too, has been listed in the commercial residential category.”