Mosques converted into Sikh Gurdwaras

[protickler]

Earlier this year in an unfortunate incident a scuffle took place at the Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. Indian media covered it widely and called it an attack. What they covered with less intensity was the fact that the main accused was later arrested by Pakistan under a non-bailable section of their Anti-Terrorism Act.

Conspiracy theories went round on social media and prominent Akali Dal leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa went so far to say that the incident was an “open declaration” to convert the shrines (gurdwaras) into mosques.

What the Akali Dal leader perhaps failed to see while making the statement was that there are several mosques in India that have been converted into gurdwaras.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan condemned the incident and assured his countrymen that he will have zero tolerance against those involved in it.

Will the Akali Dal leader be able to say something like that especially about mosques that have forcibly been converted into gurdwaras. This is not an all-inclusive list, it lists only the most prominent examples.

Jama Masjid, Meham, Haryana

Jama Masjid Meham
The Jama Masjid of Meham dates back to the era of the Mughals. It was constructed primarily using Kankar blocks. The mosque was converted fairly recently into a gurudwara. The Arabic calligraphy once adorned its high ceilings and arches has been coated over with paint. The exact construction date of this mosque is still up for debate as one inscription states that it was built in 1531 AD, during the reign of Emperor Humayun well as another inscription states that it was built during the rule of Emperor Aurangzeb in 1667-68 AD.

Coordinates: 28°58’02.9″N 76°17’31.0″E

Photo Source: Center for Art and Architecture, American Institute of Indian Studies

Gol Masjid, Amritsar, Punjab
Sharifpura was a Muslim enclave in Amritsar. During the Partition of India, the area was home to a huge Muslim refugee camp and bore witness to some of the most horrifying tales of the partition. Though this mosque has been used as a gurdwara for decades now, it is still referred to as the Gol Masjid and even its accompanying lane is sometimes referred to as Gol Masjid Wali Gali (the lane of the round mosque).

Coordinates: 31°37’54.5″N 74°53’03.9″E

Photo Source: Save The Mosques Of India/Facebook

Khail Bazaar Jama Masjid, Panipat, Haryana

The city of Panipat has witnessed battles that have changed the course of Indian history. Babur’s decisive victory over the Lodhis happened here marking the beginning of what would become one of history’s greatest empires. The city is home to several iconic mosques including the Jama Masjid of Khail Bazaar, which has now been converted into a gurdwara. Its three ribbed domes rise high above the dense marketplace and its central arch with its decorative iwan bear testimony to its Mughal influence.

Coordinates: 29°23’26.9″N 76°58’35.4″E

Photo Source: Prabjhot Singh/Google Maps

Purani Masjid, Gidranwali, Haryana

Gidranwali is a small village with just over 200 families residing in it as per the last census. Historically it was home to a large Muslim population who prayed their five daily prayers at the principal mosque of the village, which has also turned into a gurdwara now. The pre-partition mosque’s towering minarets are a sight to behold.

Coordinates: 30°04’32.5″N 74°00’12.6″E

Photo Source: Minta Click/Google Maps

Jama Masjid, Farrukhnagar, Haryana

After founding the town of Farrukhnagar in 1732 AD, Mughal Governor Faujdar Khan went on a building spree. He constructed magnificent structures within this town of which he was later declared the Nawab. One such structure is the Jama Masjid that is now being used as a Sikh gurdwara and Hindu temple as per historian Rana Safvi. The mosque originally had two minarets, today only one of them survives.

Coordinates: 28°26’52.6″N 76°49’16.0″E

 

[Armchair]

What a shame. How long will we Muslims be spineless and be silent to this, while being overly sensitive to Hindus, Christians and Sikhs in our countries?

Why is it we are bending over backwards to accommodate them? Is this how we show pride and self-respect in ourselves?

 

[Maarkhoor]

Earlier this year in an unfortunate incident a scuffle took place at the Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. Indian media covered it widely and called it an attack. What they covered with less intensity was the fact that the main accused was later arrested by Pakistan under a non-bailable section of their Anti-Terrorism Act.

Conspiracy theories went round on social media and prominent Akali Dal leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa went so far to say that the incident was an “open declaration” to convert the shrines (gurdwaras) into mosques.

What the Akali Dal leader perhaps failed to see while making the statement was that there are several mosques in India that have been converted into gurdwaras.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan condemned the incident and assured his countrymen that he will have zero tolerance against those involved in it.

Will the Akali Dal leader be able to say something like that especially about mosques that have forcibly been converted into gurdwaras. This is not an all-inclusive list, it lists only the most prominent examples.

Jama Masjid, Meham, Haryana

Jama Masjid Meham
The Jama Masjid of Meham dates back to the era of the Mughals. It was constructed primarily using Kankar blocks. The mosque was converted fairly recently into a gurudwara. The Arabic calligraphy once adorned its high ceilings and arches has been coated over with paint. The exact construction date of this mosque is still up for debate as one inscription states that it was built in 1531 AD, during the reign of Emperor Humayun well as another inscription states that it was built during the rule of Emperor Aurangzeb in 1667-68 AD.

Coordinates: 28°58’02.9″N 76°17’31.0″E

Photo Source: Center for Art and Architecture, American Institute of Indian Studies

Gol Masjid, Amritsar, Punjab
Sharifpura was a Muslim enclave in Amritsar. During the Partition of India, the area was home to a huge Muslim refugee camp and bore witness to some of the most horrifying tales of the partition. Though this mosque has been used as a gurdwara for decades now, it is still referred to as the Gol Masjid and even its accompanying lane is sometimes referred to as Gol Masjid Wali Gali (the lane of the round mosque).

Coordinates: 31°37’54.5″N 74°53’03.9″E

Photo Source: Save The Mosques Of India/Facebook

Khail Bazaar Jama Masjid, Panipat, Haryana

The city of Panipat has witnessed battles that have changed the course of Indian history. Babur’s decisive victory over the Lodhis happened here marking the beginning of what would become one of history’s greatest empires. The city is home to several iconic mosques including the Jama Masjid of Khail Bazaar, which has now been converted into a gurdwara. Its three ribbed domes rise high above the dense marketplace and its central arch with its decorative iwan bear testimony to its Mughal influence.

Coordinates: 29°23’26.9″N 76°58’35.4″E

Photo Source: Prabjhot Singh/Google Maps

Purani Masjid, Gidranwali, Haryana

Gidranwali is a small village with just over 200 families residing in it as per the last census. Historically it was home to a large Muslim population who prayed their five daily prayers at the principal mosque of the village, which has also turned into a gurdwara now. The pre-partition mosque’s towering minarets are a sight to behold.

Coordinates: 30°04’32.5″N 74°00’12.6″E

Photo Source: Minta Click/Google Maps

Jama Masjid, Farrukhnagar, Haryana

After founding the town of Farrukhnagar in 1732 AD, Mughal Governor Faujdar Khan went on a building spree. He constructed magnificent structures within this town of which he was later declared the Nawab. One such structure is the Jama Masjid that is now being used as a Sikh gurdwara and Hindu temple as per historian Rana Safvi. The mosque originally had two minarets, today only one of them survives.

Coordinates: 28°26’52.6″N 76°49’16.0″E

Probably in these areas no Muslim exist since they migrated to Pakistan.

Islam teaches us not to make other religious places into Masjids, Even there are very less Sikhs we did not even a single Gurudawar or temple into Masjid.

 

[Soumitra]

Islam teaches us not to make other religious places into Masjids, Even there are very less Sikhs we did not even a single Gurudawar or temple into Masjid.

 

[namefield_empty]

What a shame. How long will we Muslims be spineless and be silent to this, while being overly sensitive to Hindus, Christians and Sikhs in our countries?

Why is it we are bending over backwards to accommodate them? Is this how we show pride and self-respect in ourselves?

Very classy, victim card is fully recharged. Please evict your whatever remaining little Hindus, Sikhs, Christians and Buddhists from your Islamic nations of Bangladesh and Pakistan. We shall take them all in, and in turn assure you that not a single Indian muslim will be subjected to the same treatment. Illegal Bangladeshis and such need to fear.

Where are the historical temples in North India? Ones found are desecrated with an abominable foreign illegal construction.. Says much, doesn't it?

 

[Joe Shearer]

Very classy, victim card is fully recharged. Please evict your whatever remaining little Hindus, Sikhs, Christians and Buddhists from your Islamic nations of Bangladesh and Pakistan. We shall take them all in, and in turn assure you that not a single Indian muslim will be subjected to the same treatment. Illegal Bangladeshis and such need to fear.


Where are the historical temples in North India? Ones found are desecrated with an abominable foreign illegal construction.. Says much, doesn't it?

It is also relevant to point out that more than one of the examples relate to mosques now surrounded by land and habitations that do not have a single Muslim left to use the mosques in question. Much of this is special pleading.

 

[protickler]

Probably in these areas no Muslim exist since they migrated to Pakistan.

Islam teaches us not to make other religious places into Masjids, Even there are very less Sikhs we did not even a single Gurudawar or temple into Masjid.

Many of these places do have a Muslim population. The land continues to belong to Waqf board.

 

[namefield_empty]

It is also relevant to point out that more than one of the examples relate to mosques now surrounded by land and habitations that do not have a single Muslim left to use the mosques in question. Much of this is special pleading.

Yes indeed Joe, very pertinent to my state also. I hail from a remote place in east NE, very near to my residence a couple of days back our locals objected to the illegal encroachment on state land by a certain community to build their place of worship. Astonishingly, there were only a couple of families from that community in that entire area who tresspassed illegally to build the structure. Why? The same modus operandi has been followed for decades, build structures, gherao it and call other squatters and claim the land as their own after some time. One half of the my state has been engulfed that way. We would be labelled as xenophobic and communal if we were to take things into our own hands, not that we want to..

 

[Joe Shearer]

Yes indeed Joe, very pertinent to my state also. I hail from a remote place in east NE, very near to my residence a couple of days back our locals objected to the illegal encroachment on state land by a certain community to build their place of worship. Astonishingly, there were only a couple of families from that community in that entire area who tresspassed illegally to build the structure. Why? The same modus operandi has been followed for decades, build structures, gherao it and call other squatters and claim the land as their own after some time. One half of the my state has been engulfed that way. We would be labelled as xenophobic and communal if we were to take things into our own hands, not that we want to..

As you know, the same technique is followed by others who build a temple - or a small Shrine of Jesus or the Virgin Mary - and grab the land using that as the thin end of the wedge.

Recently, near where I live, a Sardarji (!!) built a Ganesh Temple, and tried to do a land-grab. Fortunately, since it comes under the Secunderabad Cantonment, he got his comeuppance, the temple was pulled down and he was warned.

Believe me, it's not just your state, it's everywhere.

Many of these places do have a Muslim population. The land continues to belong to Waqf board.

I am referring ONLY to those where there is no Muslim population, where once there was. Also, you know that land may belong to the Waqf Board even when there is nobody living there to worship.

The Waqf Board is another source of enormous manipulation. What people - Muslim and Hindu alike - do to Waqf property will reduce you to tearing out your hair.

 

[namefield_empty]

As you know, the same technique is followed by others who build a temple - or a small Shrine of Jesus or the Virgin Mary - and grab the land using that as the thin end of the wedge.

Recently, near where I live, a Sardarji (!!) built a Ganesh Temple, and tried to do a land-grab. Fortunately, since it comes under the Secunderabad Cantonment, he got his comeuppance, the temple was pulled down and he was warned.

Believe me, it's not just your state, it's everywhere.

Yes it should apply to all irrespective of ethnicity or religion. Rule of the law must prevail everywhere in our country. It so happens that these types of incidents are carried out in my state only by a certain community. I would speak against them and also my own people, should it come to it.

 

[Gentelman]

No muslim is there....
Wrongs are forced conversions and forcefully converting others religious building....
Neither is that government Islamic.
So we must work on ourselves in matter of religious freedom and harmony.

 

[Joe Shearer]

Yes it should apply to all irrespective of ethnicity or religion. Rule of the law must prevail everywhere in our country. It so happens that these types of incidents are carried out in my state only by a certain community. I would speak against them and also my own people, should it come to it.

Oh, absolutely. These are not people concerned with religion, they are using it to grab land. In the case of Assam, I know that these incidents have been used systematically, but I thought it was in lower Assam, more than where you have described yourself, in the east, presumably in the Dibrugarh-Jorhat vicinity. Whatever it is, there should be a ban on putting up any place of worship without a permit from the District Magistrate or equivalent.

 

[Baba Google]

Earlier this year in an unfortunate incident a scuffle took place at the Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. Indian media covered it widely and called it an attack. What they covered with less intensity was the fact that the main accused was later arrested by Pakistan under a non-bailable section of their Anti-Terrorism Act.

Conspiracy theories went round on social media and prominent Akali Dal leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa went so far to say that the incident was an “open declaration” to convert the shrines (gurdwaras) into mosques.

What the Akali Dal leader perhaps failed to see while making the statement was that there are several mosques in India that have been converted into gurdwaras.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan condemned the incident and assured his countrymen that he will have zero tolerance against those involved in it.

Will the Akali Dal leader be able to say something like that especially about mosques that have forcibly been converted into gurdwaras. This is not an all-inclusive list, it lists only the most prominent examples.

Jama Masjid, Meham, Haryana

Jama Masjid Meham
The Jama Masjid of Meham dates back to the era of the Mughals. It was constructed primarily using Kankar blocks. The mosque was converted fairly recently into a gurudwara. The Arabic calligraphy once adorned its high ceilings and arches has been coated over with paint. The exact construction date of this mosque is still up for debate as one inscription states that it was built in 1531 AD, during the reign of Emperor Humayun well as another inscription states that it was built during the rule of Emperor Aurangzeb in 1667-68 AD.

Coordinates: 28°58’02.9″N 76°17’31.0″E

Photo Source: Center for Art and Architecture, American Institute of Indian Studies

Gol Masjid, Amritsar, Punjab
Sharifpura was a Muslim enclave in Amritsar. During the Partition of India, the area was home to a huge Muslim refugee camp and bore witness to some of the most horrifying tales of the partition. Though this mosque has been used as a gurdwara for decades now, it is still referred to as the Gol Masjid and even its accompanying lane is sometimes referred to as Gol Masjid Wali Gali (the lane of the round mosque).

Coordinates: 31°37’54.5″N 74°53’03.9″E

Photo Source: Save The Mosques Of India/Facebook

Khail Bazaar Jama Masjid, Panipat, Haryana

The city of Panipat has witnessed battles that have changed the course of Indian history. Babur’s decisive victory over the Lodhis happened here marking the beginning of what would become one of history’s greatest empires. The city is home to several iconic mosques including the Jama Masjid of Khail Bazaar, which has now been converted into a gurdwara. Its three ribbed domes rise high above the dense marketplace and its central arch with its decorative iwan bear testimony to its Mughal influence.

Coordinates: 29°23’26.9″N 76°58’35.4″E

Photo Source: Prabjhot Singh/Google Maps

Purani Masjid, Gidranwali, Haryana

Gidranwali is a small village with just over 200 families residing in it as per the last census. Historically it was home to a large Muslim population who prayed their five daily prayers at the principal mosque of the village, which has also turned into a gurdwara now. The pre-partition mosque’s towering minarets are a sight to behold.

Coordinates: 30°04’32.5″N 74°00’12.6″E

Photo Source: Minta Click/Google Maps

Jama Masjid, Farrukhnagar, Haryana

After founding the town of Farrukhnagar in 1732 AD, Mughal Governor Faujdar Khan went on a building spree. He constructed magnificent structures within this town of which he was later declared the Nawab. One such structure is the Jama Masjid that is now being used as a Sikh gurdwara and Hindu temple as per historian Rana Safvi. The mosque originally had two minarets, today only one of them survives.

Coordinates: 28°26’52.6″N 76°49’16.0″E

Indian Muslims deserve this - Thank you Jinnah.

What a shame. How long will we Muslims be spineless and be silent to this, while being overly sensitive to Hindus, Christians and Sikhs in our countries?

Why is it we are bending over backwards to accommodate them? Is this how we show pride and self-respect in ourselves?

 

[Morpheus]

Indian Muslims deserve this - Thank you Jinnah.

Agree. These indian Muslim were happily cheering on the IAF during the Feb drama. They don't care one bit about anyone else, except themselves.

 

[xeuss]

Yes indeed Joe, very pertinent to my state also. I hail from a remote place in east NE, very near to my residence a couple of days back our locals objected to the illegal encroachment on state land by a certain community to build their place of worship. Astonishingly, there were only a couple of families from that community in that entire area who tresspassed illegally to build the structure. Why? The same modus operandi has been followed for decades, build structures, gherao it and call other squatters and claim the land as their own after some time. One half of the my state has been engulfed that way. We would be labelled as xenophobic and communal if we were to take things into our own hands, not that we want to..

I assume "your" community never indulged in such land grabbing exercises that you have to make it a point to turn this into a communal issue?

Sanghis....smh

Agree. These indian Muslim were happily cheering on the IAF during the Feb drama. They don't care one bit about anyone else, except themselves.

The part in red is currently applying to you.