25 October 2004	Monday	10 Ramazan 1425

KARACHI, Oct 24: People have to get entry pass for offering prayers in the two mosques located on the premises of Sindh Madrassetul Islam, the alma matar of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

Responding to Dawn queries, SMI principal Mohammad Ali Shaikh said that the entry pass system was introduced after the bomb blast in Hyderi mosque on May 7. The system was introduced for the security of people offering prayers.

He said that the two mosques located in the SMI had been constructed primarily to facilitate the staff and students of the madressah. Outsiders can also come and offer the prayers, but, they will have to follow the procedure.

He said that a person would have to pay Rs50 (one time payment) and fill in the prescribed form giving all relevant details, including his occupation. Once a pass, with the holder's photograph on it, is issued it is valid for lifetime.

The principal said that at present three security cordons - SMI watchmen, security guards, policemen - were in place who checked the passes when people entered the madressah. Around 200 passes had been issued so far, he added.

Once inside the madressah, a person can offer prayers at any of the two mosques. The passes are checked at the time of prayers, including the Taraveeh prayers during Ramazan.