People return to Badi Masjid

Patancheru: It is after several decades that people returned to Badi Masjid at Patancheru. The Qutub Shahi era mosque that lay abandoned is now brimming with life. For the first time in several years, more than 450 persons prayed at the historic mosque on Bakrid. The Hans India carried a report on the abandoned mosque recently and brought to light the intensions of a few who wanted to encroach the land abutting the mosque.

Osman Mohammed Khan, a social activist said, “People started showing interest only after the publication about the encroachments. In a surprise development, people not only cleaned the mosque but also spread the word to pray.” Mohammed Jabbar, a resident of Patancheru said, “It was a momentous occasion and locals are a happy lot. With so many people coming back to the mosque, it can now be protected.”

The prayer went off peacefully and no one interrupted or approached the MRO as a few devotees feared.
Residents cleaned the masjid and started collecting money for the restoration.  Residents appealed to the Waqf Board to secure the Mosque and put an end to encroachments.