ALLAHABAD: Eight Muslim Organizations have ordered to shift the Babri Masjid from its present place and construct new mosque 10 km away from the Ram Janma Bhoomi Temple, according to Mukhtar Albas Naqvi, President Indian Muslim Youth Conference (IMYC) here on Sept.20.

Ina Press release, Naqvi said the eight Muslim organizations had made the offer to the Prime Minister and the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister in a joint letter as a gesture of goodwill expected 10 be reciprocated by Hindus who should offer the land for the construction of a mosque.

The signatories to the letter are Ayub Syed, (President, Muslim for Progress), Sharif Jarnal Kureshi, (President, Muslim Sangharsh, Vahini), Nafisa Seikh (President Mahila Mandal), Mohd Alam Koya (President Musalmin Hind Kendra), Dr.Safi Sheikh (President, Nationalist Muslim Front), Dr.Abdul Hakeen Khan (President, Nationalist Muslim Front, Calcutta), Asad Ansari (General Secretary Dasthakar Sangh UP) and Mukhtar Abbas, Naqvi (President, Indian Muslim Youth Conference).

A report from New Delhi adds  Efforts by some Muslim leaders for a patch-up and merger of two factions of the Babri Masjid movement have failed, according to senior Muslim leader Syed Ahmed Hashmi. He said the All-India Babri Masjid Action Committee (AIBMAC) representatives had not shown any interest in the merger and patch-up. Some of the AIBMAC members expressed their reservations on the patch-up issue, which was suggested by various Muslim leaders and organizations.

Maulana Hashmi said negotiations were on for the past few months to bring the two parties on the same platform and work jointly for the restoration of the “Babri Masjid.’

The Jamaat-i-Islami leaders also admitted that though the BMMCC was serious for patch-up, the AIBMAC representatives backed out after initial approval of the “joint action plan.” They said it would have been better for both the factions to work together so that they could forcefully plead their case and draw up strategy for restoration of the 15th century disputed structure to the community.

While BMCC refuses to have any direct negotiations with Vishwa Hindu Parishad VHP on the issue, the AIBMAC said they are not averse to holding talks provided all secular political parties are involved in negotiations.

Article extracted from this publication >> October 2, 1992