Gorakhpur - Hundreds of years old mosque built by a courtesan turned into ruins* *Namaz should be offered: Mufti Akhtar* The line of poetry is coming out automatically from the mouth of the hundred years old mosque turned into ruins behind Raj Eye Hospital in Nasirabad. This mosque is deserted only because it was built by a courtesan. The old mosque of Mohalla Nasirabad Aabadi is still deserted and deprived of Namaz. Its entry is recorded as a mosque in the pages of history. It is deserted because the name of a lady associated with the worst profession of the society has been associated with it. Even the elders of the area are unable to tell when the last Namaz was offered in it. But it cannot be denied that Namaz was offered in the mosque. Because if the Ulema of that time had opposed it, then it would have been mentioned in history, whereas there is no proof and testimony of such opposition. It is noteworthy that when the courtesan was getting the mosque built, no one raised any voice. If there had been any voice, the construction would not have been completed, but the condition of the mosque tells that the mosque was completed. Even though it is deserted due to lack of maintenance for centuries, the spirituality of the mosque is also felt here in a different way. Since in those times, a large amount would have to be paid to build the mosque. Apart from this, the direction of Kaaba etc. would also have to be decided for the mosque. Therefore, it gives strength to the fact that the lady must have had property etc. in her name. This mosque was built after selling it. The people who built the mosque also know its sanctity. There is definitely some important secret hidden in the desolation of the mosque which has been lost in the lap of time. The way it has been deserted for a long time, one of the important reasons for this is the decrease in the Muslim population in the locality. There is no trace of its heirs. This mosque is still recorded in the government settlement (map of the locality) which was done in 1914 AD. This gives an idea of how old this mosque must be (several hundred years old). Its structure and the brick and lime used in it also testify to its being ancient. The same materials have been used in its construction which have been used in Urdu Bazaar's Jama Masjid, Basantpur Sarai. From this, it can be guessed that the mosque is more than two hundred years old. In the year 2000, some mischievous elements tried to occupy the site of this mosque, which is about twelve hundred square feet, but due to the awakening and anger of the Muslims, it was not possible. After a few months, shops were built on the empty land in front of the mosque and the responsibility of its maintenance was handed over to retired Hydel officer Mobinul Haq. But the condition of the mosque is in a bad shape. A huge Pakkad tree has grown in it. Due to which the walls of the mosque are getting damaged a lot. The population of Mohalla Nasirabad is about five thousand. About one thousand of these houses are said to be of Muslims, but where this mosque is located, there are only one or two houses of Muslims around it. Whereas there is another mosque in front. Which is known as *Farooqi Sahab's Mosque* and Muslims offer Namaaz in it. If we believe the elders of the locality, this mosque was built by a courtesan, due to which namaz was never offered in it. Ulema-e-Kiram need to be guided in the light of evidence so that this mosque can be re-inhabited. It is also worth mentioning that many historical mosques of the country are in the possession of the Indian Archaeological Department. Looking at the dilapidated condition of the mosque of Nasirabad, there is a strong apprehension that this mosque may itself fall prey to breakage and be razed to the ground. Regarding the mosque, Haji Tahavvar Hussain had said long ago that no one except Allah will take care of this mosque. Mufti Akhtar Hussain of Madrasa Darul Uloom Hussainia Dewan Bazar said that namaz is permissible in the mosque. There is no evidence that the courtesan built the mosque. It is possible that she built it with the donations of the public. But it is a mosque, namaz should be offered.
