MARGAO: Members of the Sunni Jamatul Muslameen, Jamia Masjid, one of Margao’s oldest mosques, have voiced their apprehensions regarding the potential misuse of the masjid funds for personal or illegal purposes.
Abdul Kadar Shah, one of the founder members, highlighted that the Bombay High Court had previously intervened in similar situations. In a writ petition numbered 840 of 2016, an order dated October 25, 2016, was issued, directing the conduct of elections, which were duly followed.
Shah further explained that the devotees of the mosque established a society named Sunni Jamatul Muslameen in 2011 to ensure proper management and safeguard the interests of the original members, given the increasing Muslim population in Margao. The masjid is managed by a committee comprising 21 members elected through secret ballot every five years.
However, this year, two groups have laid claim to the masjid, leading to disorderly conduct. The term of the previous committee expired in February 2022, and since elections were not held, the Registrar of Societies appointed Riyaz Shaikh as the interim president with instructions to conduct elections via secret ballot.
Abdul Ghani Bepari, another founder member, raised concerns about the election process. He stated that individual notices must be issued at least 15 days in advance to each member, along with a notice displayed on the masjid’s notice board. However, no such notices were received by the undersigned, yet it is being claimed that elections were held, and a committee of twenty-one members has been elected.
Bepari further contended that out of the 21 members who claim to be part of the managing committee, only three or four are listed on the electoral rolls. Most of the individuals neither possess eligibility to contest nor vote.
“The masjid has been constructed, repaired, and maintained through the sacrifices and contributions of the founder members, and now individuals who are ineligible and non-members are claiming to be part of the managing committee,” lamented Bepari.
