ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) has demolished an old mosque and planted saplings in its place. The mosque was situated on a greenbelt near Rawal Dam Chowk.

Officials from the CDA and district administration claimed the mosque had been razed with the understanding of the administration of the seminary and mosque.

They said the seminary had been shifted to Margalla Town with mutual consent of its administration, adding that the mosque was part of the seminary.

The operation was carried out Saturday night.

On the other hand, religious leaders have opposed the move, claiming that as per agreement, only the seminary was to be shifted to Margalla Town.

The religious figures uprooted plants on Sunday and offered prayers at the site and demanded the CDA and Islamabad administration to re-build the mosque.

Talking to Dawn, Wafaqual Madaris Al Arabia Islamabad chapter President Mufti Abdul Salam said: “We condemn the action of CDA and administration; we will rebuild the mosque on the same place.”

He said there was no agreement on razing of the mosque, and only the seminary was to be shifted to Margalla Town. “We are not talking about the madressah; we are talking about the old Madni mosque, which was razed by the CDA,” he said, adding that the mosque was being run by Auqaf department of Islamabad. “We will start rebuilding the mosque from Monday; today, people have uprooted the plants,” he added.

Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2025