Ayodhya Ram Mandir: Meat shops to shut in Lucknow on January 22

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A prominent Muslim organization in Uttar Pradesh has announced its decision to keep meat shops closed in various areas of the state capital Lucknow on January 22 when the idol of Ram Lalla will be installed at Ayodhya's Ram Mandir.

The All India Jamiatul Quresh has decided to keep the meat shops closed in several areas of Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow on January 22 when the idol of Ram Lalla will be installed in Ayodhya's Ram Mandir, newswire ANI reported.

National Secretary Shahabuddin Qureshi and Vice President Ashfaq Qureshi submitted a memorandum to Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, stating that the Pasmanda Muslim Community has unanimously chosen to shutter meat businesses in Lucknow's Bilochpura, Sadar Cantt, Faatehganj, and Laatouche Road areas on the specified date.

"We all are Awadh residents. Keeping in mind the goodwill on the pran pratishtha day in Ayodhya, it has been decided unanimously that on 22 January 2024, all the meat traders of Bilochpura, Sadar Cantt, Faatehganj, and Laatouche Road areas will keep their businesses closed," Shahabuddin Qureshi said in the memorandum submitted to the state deputy CM.

The 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of the new idol of Ram Lalla at the sanctum sanctorum of the Ayodhya's Ram Mandir is scheduled to be performed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22.

Also read: Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena donates Rs 11 crore for Ram Temple in Ayodhya

Meanwhile, Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation has emphasized the unity of the country will be showcased to the world, starting with Ayodhya.

Athar Hussain, Athar Hussain, spokesperson of Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation while talking to ANI over Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, asserted that, in a democratic country, no Indian should question the success of this programme.

Highlighting the importance of the Constitution in the democratic structure and expressing confidence in the acceptance of the Supreme Court's decision, he said, "We believe that our Constitution is an important pillar in the democracy of the country. Even before the decision of the Supreme Court, we all said that whatever decision comes, it will be accepted. Any Indian should not raise any questions on the success of this programme."

Hussain emphasized the historical and cultural significance of the Awadh region, where people of different faiths coexist. He mentioned the shared heritage of Hindu-Muslim unity, especially during historical events in Ayodhya and Lucknow, and expressed hope for a better India in the future.

"There was a decision of the Supreme Court in which it ruled that 5 acres of land would be alloted for the mosque in Ayodhya. This is the Awadh region where we are from and the Lord Shri Ram is, where Hindu Muslims and all people live with a common heritage and Ram is also a part of this common heritage. From Ayodhya to Lucknow, how Hindu Muslims fought shoulder to shoulder with the British--this is our story. We hope that India will be better in the coming days and we will share our unity in front of the whole world. It will start with Ayodhya," he added.

Further, responding to a question about some leaders provoking a particular community just before the consecration ceremony on January 22, Athar Hussain urged individuals to trust the country's investigating agencies and police force.

He emphasized the importance of informing authorities about any genuine fears rather than spreading unfounded messages.

"There are investigating agencies in our country, there is a police force. If you have any fear of this kind, then you should inform them about it and not send such messages and imaginary things without any unnecessary reason. It is wrong to say that a particular community is unsafe that day," the Indo-Islaimc Cultural Foundation spokesperson said.

Athar Hussain also advised that every person should have faith in the law and order system and everyone wants a better future which can happen only when there is confidence towards each other.

While clearing the air on the grand mosque to be built in Ayodhya, 22 km away from Ram Mandir, Hussain said that things are being worked on and preparations for everything are being completed.

"Work is on, it is going on and our Chief Justice Zafar Farooqui Saheb has also held a meeting in Mumbai. He has formed a development committee for the mosque. He has also talked to Haji Arfa Shaikh there about all such things related to fund racing. Things are being worked on and preparations for everything are being completed," he said. (With inputs from ANI)