Imam’s Fight For Kids’ Education Following Mosque Demolition
DELHI — Zakir Hussain, the imam of the ancient Akhunji Mosque in Mehrauli, a neighbourhood in South Delhi, has a vivid memory of Jan. 31, 2023. He described the terrible events of that morning, when the Delhi Development Authority destroyed not only the centuries-old mosque — but also the Madrasa Bahrul Uloom and the nearby cemetery.
“It was around 4 a.m. when the bulldozers arrived.” Hussain recalled. “As soon as I heard the noise, I rushed out to try and stop them. But my pleas were ignored. The children had to run outside in the cold, clutching only their blankets. We weren’t even given time to gather our basic belongings.”
The Akhunji Mosque, while of uncertain origin, is historically estimated to date back between 600 and 700 years. Situated in proximity to the Qutub Minar, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, the mosque is attributed to the era of Razia Sultana, a prominent figure within the Delhi Sultanate. Its historical importance was formally recognized by the Archaeological Survey of India, which designated it a protected heritage site in 1920.
The madrasa, a religious school primarily dedicated to Islamic education, was home to 35 students. Many of these children were orphans, while others came from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, relying heavily on the madrasa for education and shelter.
For Zakir, the demolition was more than just the destruction of a building — it was an irreparable loss that struck at the heart of the community. While he understood that he could legally challenge the demolition, what weighed heaviest on his mind was the uncertain future of the 35 children who had been studying at the madrasa.
“All the books and study materials were buried under the rubble,” he said with a sigh. “I didn’t have the financial resources to replace them or resume classes in a proper way. So, I made the difficult decision to transfer the children to a nearby madrasa to ensure their education could continue.”
The demolition has been formally challenged in a petition filed by the managing committee of the Delhi Waqf Board. The demolition, which involved tearing down structures associated with the Akhoondji Mosque complex, has sparked significant controversy and legal action.
In the petition, the Waqf Board committee argues that the DDA’s actions were unlawful and arbitrary, carried out without following the due process of law as required by relevant regulations. According to the plea, the DDA failed to follow necessary legal procedures before proceeding with the demolition. The committee stresses that such a major action requires prior notice, a proper hearing, and adherence to any judicial orders in place.
The committee further contends that the DDA’s actions violated a specific order issued by the Delhi High Court in 2022. They assert that ignoring this order not only undermines the rule of law but also infringes on the rights of the community associated with the mosque and its affiliated institutions.
Both the Delhi Waqf Board and the Delhi Development Authority are expected to present their arguments, evidence, and legal interpretations as the trial continues.
Despite the heartbreaking setback, Hussain remains committed to supporting the children and preserving their right to education against all odds. After the demolition of the mosque and madrasa, Hussain faced another hurdle — taking care of the children, their education, food and other need, which he saw as a duty given to him by God.
“If I fail to do these thing’s, it will displease Allah,” he said.
Hussain did not have any skills that would allow him to earn extra money. As a result, he started by serving as a bike taxi driver.
“I did it only so kids can go back to studying,” he added.
Hussain said he earned as much as 600 rupees (about $7) a day, which was enough for his daily living, but not for fully supporting the education of 35 children.
Hussain said that his hard work and outside donations eventually helped rebuild the school. One madrasa student, who didnt want to be identified by Religion Unplugged, said Hussain “has done thing’s for us that even a father may not do. I want to become engineer and when the madrasa was broken down, I thought my dream also broke, but Zakir gave us hope again.”
Amit Pandey, an independent journalist based in India, covers a wide range of topics, including religion, politics and cybercrime.