Devotees resent installation of ACs at Khanqah-e-Moulla

Srinagar, Jan 6: The move by the Waqf Board to install ACs in Khanqah-e-Moulla in Downtown has raised concerns among the devotees about the safety of the historic shrine.

A group of devotees said as the centuries-old shrine is built mostly of wood and is prone to fire incidents; installation of ACs is not advisable. The shrine has faced several fire incidents. “We don’t want something like that to happen which will affect this revered religious place,” they said.

“We are not against modernisation but given the sensitivity of the place, authorities should reconsider the decision to install ACs. The functioning of more electrical gadgets means more risk of fire incidents. We have witnessed several fire incidents in various shrines in Srinagar in the past and we don’t want that to happen again,” said a local.

In 2017 fire broke out in Khanqah-e-Moulla damaging its spire. In the recent past, there have been various fire incidents in the Shrines across Kashmir. In another incident in 2012, revered Dastgeer Sahib (RA) shrine was gutted in a fire incident.

Devotees said that they are all for comfort but not any measures that can pose a risk to the shrine.

“We understand that in winter devotees have to face cold, but traditional means must be used to keep the main hall warm. We also want comfort but not any measures which pose a risk to the shrine. This place is historic and has a spiritual connection with us. We hope that authorities will find a safe way to ensure comfort and safety as well,” said Abdul Qayoom, a devotee.

The shrine’s first tier features double-arcaded verandahs that run continuously around the building. The second tier comprises an arcaded balcony protruding on all four sides of the main building. The pyramidal roof of the second tier is topped by an open pavilion for the muezzin, crowned by a pyramidal spire.

Executive Magistrate J&K Waqf Board, Ishtiyaq Mohi-ud-din said that they will ensure all safety measures.

“The system will be placed safely and the control units will be outside the shrine. We are a responsible authority and we have electrical engineers who will ensure all safety measures. This is done for the comfort of devotees. We will ensure that the shrine is not vulnerable to any unfortunate incident,” he said.