Cooling the fire: Mosque near UAF gate not to be demolished

Varsity’s VC refuted allegations against administration

FAISALABAD: The vice chancellor of  the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad has refuted the allegations that the varsity’s administration plans to demolish the mosque that stands adjacent to the entry gate of the university on Narwal Road. He has said the university administration will preserve the mosque.

“Some elements are bringing up demolition of the mosque to sabotage development activities that are under way at the university,” UAF VC Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said, while speaking at a news conference on Thursday in Faisalabad. “Progress work at UAF is at the peak as compared with that at other universities of the countries.”

He added the premises of the newly constructed hostel have a mosque that will not be demolished but will be upgraded. “An Islamic centre will also be set up there.” About the hostel, the VC said it can accommodate 1,000 girls and will be opened for use by next week.

According to Faisalabad Post, the administration of the varsity had decided to demolish the 30-year-old mosque, located near the gate of the university and closed for the worshippers. It was said that the mosque was located at the site where a girls hostel was being constructed at a cost of Rs10 million. Therefore, the decision was said to be made to acquire the land and space.

Locals and Islamic scholars of Faisalabad had condemned the plan.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 4^th, 2016.