Recently, a new report of a Muslim man named Umar Qureshi being arrested for reciting azan in a 250-year-old mosque in Uttar Pradesh is being circulated by the Islamist lobby. The narrative being propagated suggests that this incident is indicative of discrimination against Muslim minorities in India.
Islamist propagandist Amina (archived link) shared a screenshot of a Maktoob Media report, which said ‘Muslim youth sent to jail for offering ‘Azaan’ at the 250-year-old mosque in UP.’ The user described this incident as discrimination against Indian Muslims.
There is no religious discrimination in India against Muslim minorities : PM Modi
— أمينة Amina (@AminaaKausar) January 8, 2024
Meanwhile in India: pic.twitter.com/tcbeK4AOz6
Harun Khan (archived link) talking about the arrest of Umar Qureshi wrote, ‘In UP’s, Shamli, a youth named “Umar Qureshi” has been arrested for allegedly giving “Azaan” in front of a 250-year-old dilapidated Mosque. -This incident has raised questions on discrimination and religious freedom. -No any Party/Media/Politician will talk about this.’
In UP's, Shamli, a youth named "Umar Qureshi" has been arrested for allegedly giving "Azaan" in front of a 250-year-old dilapidated Mosque.
— هارون خان (@iamharunkhan) January 7, 2024
-This incident has raised questions on discrimination and religious freedom.
-No any Party/Media/Politician will talk about this pic.twitter.com/vROTcpF5Ru
Crime Reports India (archived link), a Hinduphobe account known for spreading misinformation about India and Hindus, wrote, ‘India: Muslim Umar Qureshi held by Police for offering ‘azan’ in 250-year-old ‘mosque’ in Uttar Pradesh.’
India: Muslim Umar Qureshi held by Police for offering ‘azan’ in 250-year-old ‘mosque’ in Uttar Pradesh.#Islamophobia https://t.co/SPrRm7IVDY
— Crime Reports India (@AsianDigest) January 7, 2024
Fact Check
At the beginning of our research, we conducted a relevant keyword search and found several media reports. These media reports reveal the historical legal tangle surrounding the structure.
According to the Times of India report, Umar Qureshi was arrested not just for offering namaz in the mosque, but for offering namaz in the disputed structure. The location where the mosque is located is considered disputed, as the Hindu community associates it with the Manahar kings. According to them, this area has been a part of Manahar Fort since 1350. But then the Mughals attacked this area and this area came under the rule of Najeeb-ud-Daula. Only then the mosque was built. However, because of this Muslims claim that it is a mosque.
The report further states that given the tension regarding the structure during British rule, the British passed an order in 1940. According to the order, Hindus should not demolish the structure and Muslims should not be allowed to pray there.
Umar Qureshi’s act violated the order, as the purpose behind offering Namaz and posting it on social media was to disturb communal harmony, hence as per the 1940 order, he was arrested.
Furthermore, the Shamli Police statement said, ‘Namaz was never offered in the ruins of the 200-300 year old fort. The accused made a video and posted it on social media, the purpose of which was to disturb the communal harmony in the society by offering namaz. The accused has been arrested.’
— Shamli police (@PoliceShamli) January 8, 2024
Conclusion: The claim of discrimination against minorities is misleading as Umar Qureshi was arrested for trying to create communal tension by offering to pray at a 250-year-old disputed structure.
| Claim | Umar Qureshi was arrested in UP for offering prayer at a 250-year-old mosque |
| Claimed by | Amina, Harun Khan and Crime Reports India |
| Fact Check | Misleading |
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