Committee sets record straight on Sadar Bazar Jame Masjid
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 30 2021:
Sadar Bazar Jame Masjid Managing Committee has.
issued a clarification in connection with naming of 'Sadar Bazar Jame Masjid' located at present day Paona Bazar.
In a statement issued Monday, the Committee informed that the Sadar Bazar Jame Masjid located on the eastern bank of Nambul River and western side of Masjid Road, Paona Bazar is an age old and historic Masjid established in the year 1896 AD.
According to the statement, the present Paona Bazar was formerly called Sadar Bazar (sadar is an Urdu word meaning chest) and it was established under the British Reserve, the administration of which was under the British government through the political agent.
The name was originally called Jame Masjid, Sadar Bazar.
When the World War II broke out and Imphal was bombarded by Japanese forces in 1942, most of the businessmen left Imphal for their homeland.
The Masjid was abandoned for a short period but some Muslim personnel of Madras Regiment of British Indian Army stationed at Kangla took care of the Masjid till the war was over.
After the war was over, the local residents of Hafiz Hatta who were doing business at Imphal formed a committee comprising eight members to take care of the Masjid.
During the course of time, the Masjid committee planned for re-construction and expansion and the Masjid was re-constructed in 1965 with pucca structure and expanded its area to accommodate more namajis.
In 1970, the Masjid was expanded further vertically by constructing its floor.
Further, in 1974, six stalls were also constructed in front of the Masjid to prevent misuse by public as urinals and garbage dumping.
In 1975, the Masjid verandah was reconstructed with donations from well wishers and loans from some businessman/tenants of the masjid shops.
In the year 1975, a proper bye laws was framed and the Masjid Committee got registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 vide Registration No 1639 of 1975.In 1994, the Masjid got registered in the Wakf Board, Manipur also under the Wald Ad, 1954 as a wakf institution vide Registration No.52 of 1994, it said.
The managing committee then mentioned "some key points to dispel any misgivings and doubts in the minds of the public created intentionally or unintentionally by vested interests".
In 1905, Sadar Bazar and Maxwell Bazar were established on the southern side and northern side of Khwairamband Bazar by Maxwell, the political agent.
When the Masjid was established in 1896 during the tenure of Maxwell, the present location was known as Sadar Bazar and hence, the Masjid was named as "Sadar Bazar Jame Masjid".
When the British ride was over and after the independence, Sadar Bazar was renamed as Paona Bazar and Thangal Bazar in 1957 after the famous freedom fighter Thangal General and commander of Manipuri forces Paona Brajabashi, it stated.
The committee continued, "the present location was renamed as Paona Bazar well after the Masjid was established.
The letterhead of the Masjid also mentions its location as Paona Bazar.
The name "Sadar Bazar Jame Masjid should be interpreted as a name of the Masjid.
There is absolutely no attempt to rename or establish a separate market.
"A Masjid cannot be a market and no attempt should be made by anyone to project it as one.
Last but not the least, the Committee which is composed of "yelhoumees" revers the great Paona Brajabashi as a hero of the state irrespective of belonging to any community and it is unfortunate that some vested interests are trying to project a particular community in bad light" .
"Any interested person can access the website of the Masjid at http://sbim in and contact the Committee for any additional information," it concluded.