Jamia Masjid Delhi has a capacity of 85,000 worshippers, and a full scene of worshippers was see in the mosque. When Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Aesa, Secretary General of the Islamic Association of Islam and Chairman of the Organisation of Muslim Scholars, gave a sermon last Friday.
According to Arab News, it has been clarified on the website of Kontakt Alami-Islami. That it was the first time in the last 400 years. That a religious figure from outside India gave a sermon in the Jama Masjid of Delhi.
The Jama Masjid of Dehli is one of the largest, most beautiful, and most beloved Islamic places of worship in the Indian subcontinent.
Given the long and illustrious history of the Jamia Masjid, this moment was of great significance. When the head of the World Islamic Association delivered the Friday sermon. And led the Friday prayers in this mosque, which is a reflection of the unity of modern India.
Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Aesa, leading the delegation of the Islamic League, came to India on an official visit on July 10. Where he met the President of India, Draupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Minority Affairs Minister Smriti Irani.
Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Karim also met with senior Islamic scholars in India and leaders of various religions.
Officials said their visit was organise to promote fraternal and friendly dialogue, enhance understanding and cooperation. And discuss many topics of common interest among religions.
On this occasion, Imam Muhammad Abdul Hakim Al-Kindi of the Jama Masjid said in a video message for the Islamic World Contact that the recent visit of the honourable Dr. Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Aesa has improved relations between the two countries as well as between Muslims and followers of other religions in India. It also expands the relationship between
India’s population of 1.4 billion includes about 210 million Muslims. The world’s largest Muslim minority population, while other minorities include Jains, Sikhs, Christians, and Buddhists.
Religious leaders present at Sheikh Abdul Karim Al-Aesa’s sermon. And other events during the visit of the delegation of Islamic World Contact say that they hope that this visit will further promote inter-faith harmony.
Historical background of Jamia Masjid Delhi
Sadia Aziz, a research scholar from the Department of History, University of Delhi, wrote in his 2017 article that the foundation stone of the Jahan-nama Mosque was laid on October 6, 1650, under the supervision of Saadullah Khan, the prime minister and head of Shah Jahan’s household, Fazil Khan.
In 1656, during the reign of Shah Jahan, the fifth ruler of the Mughal Empire. The Jama Masjid of Delhi was complet at a cost of one million rupees.
This mosque is build on a hill call Bhojala, 1,000 yards from the Red Fort in Delhi. And the area was also know as Shahjahanabad.
The mosque is about 261 feet long and 90 feet wide. With three domes decorated with black and white marble stripes.
The three entrances to the Jamia Masjid are in the north, south, and east directions. One door was reserved exclusively for the emperor, who entered the mosque from this side every Friday and Eid, accompanied by princes, nobles, and their entourage from the Red Fort.
The mosque is known by two names: the first is the royal name suggested by the emperor, Masjid Jahanama. While the second is Jami Masjid, which became more popular over time.
Regarding the historical background of the mosque. It is say that the city of Delhi was capture by the British in 1803 and that the colonial authorities repair and renovate the mosque.
When colonial rule was restore in mid-September 1857, the Muslim population was particularly target. And several mosques in Delhi were demolish.
During the British period, various options were discuss regarding the fate of the Jama Masjid. And plans ranged from demolition to conversion into a church or a secular college.
Eventually, plans were make to convert it into barracks for Sikh troops from Punjab.
After many petitions, the mosque was return to the inhabitants of the old city on November 28, 1862. With several rules and regulations that worshippers had to follow.
