By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net,
New Delhi: He is Shahi Imam of the 17th century Shahjahani Masjid (also known as Taj masjid) near Taj Mahal in Agra. The government earns several crores of rupees yearly from fees for entry to the Taj complex comprising Taj Mahal, Shahjahani Masjid and Mehman Khana. It pays about Rs 15000 monthly each to dozens of cleaners and other menial workers hired for the complex, but how much to the Shahi Imam? Just Rs 15 a month. Isn’t it sheer shameful on the part of the government?
Taj Mahal is flanked by Mehman Khan on right and Shahjahani Masjid on left
The Imamat of this mosque has been with the family of Syed Sadiq Ali, the present Imam of the mosque, for last several generations. Before him it was his father who led prayers. He had taken reins from his father –Ali’s grandfather. Shahjahan had brought Imam from Bukhara to lead prayers in the mosque on the western side of the Taj Mahal.
Five-time prayers, Juma prayer, Eid prayers and in Ramazan Traveeh prayers are offered in the mosque. On Eids about 10000 people offer prayers here. In daily prayers, however, visitors and some Muslim workers of Archaeological Survey of India, the government body entrusted to take care of the Taj complex, come to offer prayers. Loudspeaker is not allowed here except for Eid prayers.
Shahjahani Masjid or Taj Masjid
“I get Rs 15 as monthly salary from the Uttar Pradesh government while cleaners here get about Rs 15ooo. While I lead all prayers here I am shown as a part time Imam in government records,” Ali tells TwoCircles.net.
Then how does he run his home? “My brothers help me, and I do some tuition,” he says.
Inside Shahjahani Masjid
Inside Shahjahani Masjid
ASI looks after the mosque. As it is built of marble, it does not need whitewashing. The ASI needs to spend little on the mosque. The Imam himself arranges for prayer mats with donations from locals.
Taj Mahal from inside Shahjahani Masjid
As for his salary, he demands that it must be at least Rs 10000. He is hopeful that things would change as the new ASI superintendent of Agra has assured him to raise his salary.