Religious leaders and social media users have urged the Supreme Court decision to review their decision to demolish a mosque, a shrine and a graveyard and other illegal constructions on the land belonging to the Kidney Hill Park in Karachi.
A division bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed and comprising Justice Qazi Muhammad Amin, on Tuesday was hearing a case against the construction of Madina Mosque and other encroachments on the land meant for a park in Tariq Road at the Supreme Court Karachi Registry.
Since making their decision on the demolitions of illegal construction, social media users joined calls by religious leaders Mufti Taqi Usmani and JUI-F Sindh leader Qari Muhammad Usman to review its decision.
Mufti Usmani tweeted on Thursday that the order to demolish the mosque and to establish a park was “absolutely unjustified.” The mosque on the Tarid Road was built 25 years ago and has been used by worshipers since then, he said.
“It is incomprehensible that such a mosque should be ordered to be demolished without hearing first hearing the people living in the neighbourhood,” Usmani said and urged the court to review the issue “immediately.”
Moreover, JUI-F Sindh leader Qari Muhammad Usman had also visited the Madina Masjid. “We will give our lives but not allow the mosque to be martyred or even a single brick will be demolished. If Bani Gala and Hayat Residency can be regularised, why not mosques?” he is seen telling worshipers, in a video, during his visit to the mosque.
He also demanded the apex court review its decision. In another video, Usman is demanding the SC to demolish other constructions built on state institution lands.
According to media reports, encroachments and illegal construction on state-owned properties have been one of the major problems for Karachi. Such issues seem only come to light when an incident happens like the Shershah blast or the court gives any orders.
“Are prayers offered at an illegally constructed mosque acceptable?” Justice Qazi Amin had asked during the hearing of an encroachment case in Karachi on Monday. “The biggest problem these days are encroachments,” the judge said, “We all know how Masjid-e-Nabwi was [properly] constructed. How can you pray at a mosque knowing it is built illegally?”
The matter of mosque has also been raised in the National Assembly, with another JUI-F leader Asad Mahmood compared the court order with Prime Minister Imran Khan’s residence in Bani Gala which was regularised in 2020.
“Don’t demolish people’s shacks. Honourable speaker if you want to take these steps, do it without any discrimination. No one would taunt you, no one would use criticise you. Honourable speaker, you should give a ruling on the matter of mosques,” he warned that it would create chaos among the public.
One of the users said: "Chief Justice! Stick to your decision. We will stick to our decision Let's see who has how much power."
Another user shared India's Babri Masjid picture with #SaveMadinaMasjid.
Another user called for respecting the worship places.
