Land near mosques ‘too close for comfort’

Properties around mosques, madrassas devalued by up to 30 per cent since terrorists started targeting prayer sites.

ISLAMABAD: “The rates of properties around mosques and madrassas have reduced to a large extent after the terror attacks on such places of worship,” said an official of Capital Development Authority (CDA).

The officials said, on conditions of anonymity, that property around mosques had devalued by almost 20 to 30 per cent since terrorists started targeting prayer sites.

Another reason for decrease in the appeal of such neighbourhoods, is that mosques and madrassas are also used as accommodation for students of religious seminaries. Officials said that most of the resident students are from far flung areas and their identities are unknown to the locals. Such unknown youngsters with political and religious backing make people ‘insecure’. Officials narrated numerous incidents of how the activities of madrassa students had created disturbances in one way or the other. Due to all these reasons, people often avoid residing very close to mosques or madrassas, said the officials.

CDA mostly allots some land for construction of large mosques, including a Jamia Mosque, in every markaz of each sector, in addition to providing space for prayers with each shopping centre.

Numerous mosques and madrassas, however, have been built on occupied land without the permission of CDA. Attempts are later made to legalise the encroachment by approaching the Auqaf department with the help of influential religious groups.

Officials said that most small mosques have been built illegally in Islamabad, but the authorities are unable to vacate them due to strong resistance by religious forces.

He also claimed that a particular group has been at the forefront to push this agenda of occupying land in the name of mosques and madarassas.

CDA, Deputy Director General, Urban Planning said that there are no fixed rules for allotment of plots for construction of mosque and it is provided keeping in view the population. He added that according to the ‘international’ standard, there should be a mosque in every 10 minutes. He claimed that CDA was following this rule.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 22^nd, 2010.