Byculla Masjid Welcomes Non-Muslim Visitors in Inclusive Initiative

Byculla Masjid Welcomes Non-Muslim Visitors in Inclusive Initiative
——————————
On India’s 79th Independence Day, the 125-year-old Chishti Hindustani Masjid in Byculla hosted non-Muslim visitors as part of the “Masjid Parichay” (Know My Mosque) initiative, The Times of India reported. This event, organized under the ‘Prophet for All’ campaign celebrating Prophet Muhammad’s 1500th birthday (peace be upon him and his pure family), aimed to familiarize guests with Islamic rituals and mosque functions.

Maulana Abdul Jabbar Azmi, the mosque’s imam, guided visitors through the mosque, explaining practices such as wazu (ablutions), azan (calls to prayer), salah (prayers), and Friday khutba (sermons). Visitors admired the mosque’s ornate interiors, including Quranic calligraphy and grand chandeliers.

The initiative highlighted Mumbai’s Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb, promoting coexistence across faiths. Dr. Laxman Sharma Wahid, a medical practitioner and poet, praised the effort for dispelling misconceptions about mosques. Spiritual leader Maulana Moin Ashraf Qadri emphasized the Prophet’s universal message of love and neighborly care.

The mosque previously opened its doors during Mumbai’s 2017 floods, sheltering stranded commuters regardless of faith. This inclusive spirit continues to inspire community harmony and mutual respect in Mumbai.