There was no temple where Jama Masjid or Gyanvapi Masjid stands in Varanasi. This was stated at what was probably the largest press conference of six prominent Muslim bodies in recent years. The Muslim leaders also expressed “disappointment with various lower level courts for failing to uphold the Places of Worship Act”, and accused the Executive of testing the patience of the Muslim youth.
“There was no temple where the masjid stands today. Islam does not permit destruction of another place of worship to build a mosque,” said Khalid Saifullah Rehmani, president, All India Muslim Personal Law Board. “What we are seeing today is an attempt to destroy Hindu-Muslim relations in the name of temple-mosque. For centuries Hindu temples have stood here. They were not disturbed by Muslim rulers,” Mr. Rehmani said.
This story was originally published in thehindu.com. Read the full story here.