Hyderabad: The Minority Welfare Department responsible for recruiting new imams at Macca Masjid has failed to do so resulting in severe staff crisis and burdening the existing staff with extra work. With Ramzan approaching, authorities of the Masjid are worried about the low staff figures and want the department to hire more staff immediately.
There should be two imams, two mouzins and one khateeb to take care of prayers at Macca Masjid. After the death of an imam in December 2015, there was no recruitment and the work is being shared by everyone. But in the month of Ramzan it becomes difficult as the khateeb has to deliver Friday sermons and also must offer Fajar and Zohar prayers, while offering taraveeh for the first 10 days during the holy month.
Mr. Khadeer Siddiqui, the superintendent of Macca Masjid, said, “Currently the main requirement is of an imam to take care of the Fajar and Zohar prayers. Some ground staff is also required. We have written to the department and are hopeful that they will appoint the required staff before Ramzan.”
An imam, seeking anonymity, said, “After the death of Maulana Abdullah Qureshi, the khateeb was handed over the additional responsibility of offering Fajar and Zohar prayers for a certain period. But the workload increased significantly during Ramzan last year and it was very difficult to manage but we did.”
He added, “This Ramzan, the situation will be similar to last year and to avoid any problems we are requesting the Minority Welfare Department to help us by recruiting the new imam as soon as possible. A suitable person has also been short listed, but things haven't moved further."
There was no response from the Minority Welfare Department when this reporter tried contacting them.
