Kashmir clerics, including Mirwaiz, say eviction of Delhi’s historic Race Course mosque ‘deeply disturbing’

Kashmir clerics, including Mirwaiz, say eviction of Delhi’s historic Race Course mosque ‘deeply disturbing’  left Kashmir’s Chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. File ANI ANI ANI Srinagar, Sep 18 (ANI): Kashmir’s Chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq addresses the Friday congregation at Jamaal Masjid, in Srinagar on Friday. (ANI Photo) “If even a legally recognised mosque cannot be protected, what safeguards remain for others?” says Mirwaiz Srinagar Kashmir clerics, including chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, on Tuesday (October 20, 2026) termed the eviction notice to a mosque in Delhi’s historic Race Course as “deeply disturbing”.

“Deeply disturbing that Delhi’s historic Race Course Mosque, a gazetted Waqf property since 1977 and a listed heritage site, faces eviction within six days. Equally alarming is the reported failure of the Waqf authorities to defend it. Is this becoming the new normal for Muslim places of worship?” said the Mirwaiz. He said this was precisely why “we strongly opposed the Waqf amendments and increased government control through appointed nominees over Muslim religious endowments”.

“If even a legally recognised mosque cannot be protected, what safeguards remain for others?” said the Mirwaiz, who had opposed amendments to the Waqf Act and “attempts to undermine the autonomy of Muslim religious institutions”. Nasir-ul-Islam Farooqi, J&K’s grand mufti and chairman of the Muslim Personal Law Board, also expressed strong concern over the issue and urged Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and the concerned Waqf authorities “to intervene immediately”.

“Unfortunately, developments of this nature reinforce the very concerns we have been raising about the security of Muslim religious properties and the accountability of the institutions entrusted with their protection. It is deeply alarming that a mosque with a longstanding history can face such uncertainty,” said Mr. Farooqi. He said if the institutions responsible for protecting these properties fail to act, “the trust of the community will inevitably be shaken”.

“Our objections to the Waqf amendments and the growing role of government-appointed nominees in the management of Muslim religious endowments stem from genuine concerns about institutional independence, accountability, and the protection of religious rights. These concerns must not be brushed aside,” said Mr. Farooqi. He said the legal status of the mosque must be examined and due process respected.

Shia cleric Aga Syed Hassan Mosavi Al-Safavi, president of the Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian, said the six-day notice sent to the mosque “raises questions about the protection of Muslim religious endowments and the accountability of Waqf authorities”. “Waqf properties are sacred trusts with religious and historical significance and must be protected against arbitrary interference. The concerned authorities should review the matter, ensure due process and provide effective safeguards for the mosque,” said the Shia cleric.

He underlined that there was a need to “preserve the autonomy of Waqf institutions” and “religious properties must be protected through the rule of law, fairness and institutional accountability”.