MARGAO
With hardly few days left for the commencement of Ramzan, Muslim residents of the Gogol Housing Board on Monday made a forceful plea to the authorities to open the Sunni Gulistan Masjid, sealed by the Deputy Collector, Margao following the murder at the entrance gate of the place of worship late last month.
Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco who visited the area along with Chairman of Goa Haj Committee Urfan Mulla told the people that the South Goa District Collector, Egna Cleetus, has called for a meeting on Tuesday to review the Masjid related situation.
Reginaldo, however, said the authorities should put all things in place before the place of worship is reopened for the people to conduct religious prayers. “I understand the situation arising out of the closure of the Masjid by the authorities. But, at the same time care should be taken to ensure that the same thing is repeated again. The murder had taken place right at the gate of the Masjid. We have to put all things in place,” he said.
Promising the people, including women, who were demanding the reopening of the Masjid for prayers, Reginaldo said he would take up the matter with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and the South Goa District Collector to call a meeting in order to open the Masjid for prayers. “I had never interfered in the religious affairs of the Masjid. I am also of the opinion that religious activity should continue. My whole purpose of coming here today is not to create confusion but to resolve the issue. I have told PWD Minister Digambar Kamat and I will tell Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai to help restore order,” he said.
A local resident Shahabudin Syed told the media that members of the Muslim community have made a fervent plea to the authorities to reopen the Sunni Gulistan Masjid since hardly four days are left for the commencement of the holy month of Ramzan. “We have to make preparations for the Ramzan. The place of worship needs to be washed and cleaned. We request the District Collector to reopen the place of worship,” Syed added.
