AGRA: To ensure foolproof security to the Taj Mahal, a world heritage site, the district administration has ordered that, from now on, only locals with valid identity proof will be allowed entry to the monument complex to offer
Juma
namaz on Fridays. People entering the premises of the Taj for offering prayers on Fridays will have to carry identity cards to prove that they are residents of
Agra
city. No one will be allowed in without showing identity proof. The
Taj Mahal remains closed for tourists on Fridays.
The district administration on Wednesday issued a directive that no outsiders will be allowed to pray at the mosque situated inside the complex. The administration's move comes following complaints that “outsiders”, including Bangladeshis and non-Indians”, enter the Taj Mahal complex on Fridays on the pretext of offering namaz, though the monument remains closed for visitors on that day.
The administration will post three magistrates on the east, west and south gates on Fridays to check identity documents of people entering the mosque for offering namaz. The order also states that the district magistrate should be immediately informed in case any outsider tries to enter the mosque for namaz.
The order issued by additional district magistrate (city) K P Singh also states that entry of 'outsiders' can adversely affect the security of the world heritage monument.
Confirming the mater, Agra district magistrate Guarav Dayal said, “Now, we will allow only residents of Agra city to offer namaz at the mosque located inside the Taj Mahal complex.”
It may be mentioned that similar orders were issued in 2013 by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) but these were not enforced properly, said an official. In 2013, the
ASI
banned foreigners from offering Juma namaz (Friday prayers) at
Mumtaz Masjid
after a group of Bangladeshi tourists gained entry to the Taj Mahal to pray. ASI officials had then issued a clarification that only “locals” can offer Juma namaz at the mosque.
ASI officials also said that, earlier, the Taj Mahal remained closed for tourists on Mondays and only Muslims were allowed free entry to offer namaz on Fridays. From 2001, the weekly closing day was changed to Friday, but local Muslims were allowed free entry to offer Juma namaz between noon and 2 pm. Nearly 1,500-1,600 people assemble in the mosque for the Friday prayers.