After ouster of Barkati, new imam appointed at Tipu Sultan mosque
The appointment has been kept under the wraps by Members of Wakf Estate of Prince Golam Mohammad, who are the custodian of the historical mosque.
After the ouster of controversial imam of Tipu Sultan Masjid, Syed Nurur Rahman Barkati, authorities of Tipu Sultan Masjid have silently appointed a new imam, Abdus Sukur, early this month. The appointment has been kept under the wraps by Members of Wakf Estate of Prince Golam Mohammad, who are the custodian of the historical mosque.
It was found out that the new imam, Abdus Sukur, had been kept on trial for some days before he was given an appointment letter. "He has been kept on probation for six months and upon successful completion his appointment will be confirmed," said Shahzada Anwar Ali, patron manager of the trustee board.
The 55-year-old Sukur, hailing from Alinagar area of Darbhanga in Bihar, has been allotted the imam's room which was previously occupied by Barkati and will receive a remuneration of Rs 8,500 every month. "There is a little renovation going on after which it will be handed over to him and there will be an official announcement in about a week's time," Ali said.
Sukur has been given strict instruction to stick to his religious duty and not to indulge in politics. Sources said that in the terms and conditions of his appointment, he has been instructed to stick to religious deliberations and not to speak anything political in nature or meet mediapersons frequently. Sources also said that unlike during the times of Barkati, there will be no marriages conducted at the mosque by the new imam. "The members are very careful this time after the Barkati episode," said an official of the estate.
Sukur, said, "My work is to lead the prayers and to teach people about our religion. I will try my best to do the same."
Asked what would be his stand if approached by political leaders, he said, "I would not meet any political leader. I would have several books in my room at the masjid and would be busy studying Islam and to spread it among people in society."
Sukur's family comprises his mother, wife, a son and two daughters. "They are all at our native place. All my children are married," he said. Qualification wise, he is a hafiz, a qari and a mufti.
It was also found out some belongings of Barkati were still in the room allotted for Sukur and he had been issued a notice to remove those to which he didnt reply. Contacted, Barkati told DNA he didnt want to comment on the issue.