Hyderabad: The century-old Shahi Masjid at Public Garden is under threat. Cracks have been found at various places in the structure. In Telangana only two mosques — Mecca Masjid and Shahi Masjid — are under the direct management of the state government.
The construction of the mosque was started by the City Improve-ment Board in 1924 on the instructions of the VII Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan, and it was completed in 1933. The minarets, columns, domes and arches of the mosque are very much in the royal style of architecture. Two Niyaz Khanas were built on both sides of the Masjid. The Nizam and his courtiers used to perform Juma prayer in this Masjid.
The Minorities Welfare Department is responsible for maintenance of the mosque. While the Government spends crores of rupees on the preservation and restoration of the Mecca Masjid, which is also in its charge, it has ignored the Shahi Masjid.
Musallis or caretakers of the Masjid complain that the government does not release money to restore the mosque nor does it allow them to carry out the repairs. Mohammed Younus, a musallis of the Masjid said, “Major cracks have developed in the domes, minarets and roof that cause water seepage during the rains. The whole structure will collapse soon if it is not repaired immediately. We are unable to pray in the cortile of the Masjid in the summer or in the rainy season due to the broken sunshade.”
