Friday prayers pass off peacefully in riot-hit Hyderabad

HYDERABAD - Friday prayers passed off peacefully in riot-hit areas of Hyderabad as the curfew continued for the fourth day without any relaxation.

Police had made massive security arrangements in view of the Friday prayers. Though the curfew was not relaxed thus preventing huge congregations at major mosques, Muslims offered prayers either in neighbourhood mosques or in their homes.

Police allowed over 200 people including some leaders of Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) to offer prayers at the historic Mecca Masjid, where thousands gather every Friday.

The prayers were also offered at dozens of mosques in interior areas in Muslim-majority old city. However, in communally sensitive areas, people preferred to offer namaz at home.

Jamaia Nizamia, the famous seat of Islamic learning, had issued a “fatwa” (religious edict) that Friday prayers were not must for Muslims in curfew-bound areas. Mufti Khaleel Ahmed, head of Jamia Nizamia, said Friday prayers in mosques are a must only when they can be offered without any disturbance and without endangering lives.

Following the edict, police had also appealed to Muslims to offer prayers at home. Police and paramilitary forces kept a tight vigil to maintain peace.

Relieved over peaceful conduct of prayers, Police Commissioner A.K. Khan told reporters that curfew would be relaxed for longer durations Saturday. “We will relax curfew at different timings in south and west zones,” he said.

The curfew was relaxed for two hours in all 17 police station areas of south zone Thursday while no relaxation was given in the remaining eight police station areas.

“We hope the situation would remain peaceful so that the curfew can be lifted,” Khan said.

Home Minister P. Sabita Indra Reddy had earlier hinted that curfew could be relaxed for prayers but after a review meeting with Chief Minister K. Rosaiah and police top brass last night, she ruled out the relaxation.

Security was tightened at all places of worship in Hyderabad and in districts like Adilabad, Mahabubnagar and Nizamabad.

Meanwhile, no untoward incident has been reported from any part of the city since Tuesday night. However, the home minister made it clear that the curfew would continue till normalcy was restored.

The communal violence, which broke out following a dispute over putting up of religious flags, has so far claimed two lives and left over 150 injured.

Police have increased their probe into various incidents of violence. As many as 200 people have so far been arrested in connection with 67 cases of rioting. The arrests were made for attacks on places of worship, arson and looting and damage to public and private property.