Unholy activity at New Sabzi Mandi

[LRE]

Monday, December 08, 2008
By Qadeer Tanoli

Karachi

A former National Assembly hopeful of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam -Fazal (JUI-F) has not only acquired control of a mosque at Fruit and Vegetable Market located off Super Highway, but has also managed to exploit the place of worship, and his position therein, to generate a huge income.

Masjid-e-Bilal, situated within the fruit section of new Sabzi Mandi, which was once managed by the market committee, has been allegedly occupied by Molvi Salimullah a losing JUI-F candidate in the February 2008 elections.

The seemingly business-savy political cleric has also taken revenue generation while running a mosque to a new level. Aside from putting up plots for rent, the 36-year-old Molvi has also drawn up a new revenue generating method that cashes in on the ‘call of nature.’

The Molvi has given a few washrooms, located adjacent to the mosque, on contract to a sweeper.

The sweeper, in return, pays the Molvi hundreds of rupees everyday, sources informed The News.

Prior to Salimullah’s wresting of control, another cleric, whose name is cited as Molvi Abdul Sattar, was the prayer leader at the mosque. Sattar used to get his salary from the market committee.

However, since Sattar belonged to a minor faction of the Sunni sect, Salimullah was able to have him removed and took the control of the mosque in his own hands.

According to sources in the market committee, the displaced Imam of the mosque is still getting his salary on a regular basis.

Salimullah has also constructed some shops near the mosque, which represent an additional source of income for him.

Besides this, it is learnt that he has rented out dozens of pushcarts in the area after taking huge amounts in advance from interested parties.

“He has taken Rs40,000 in advance from the dealers who hired his pushcarts, besides charging them Rs 50 per day,” sources told The News.

“He only comes to supervise Friday prayers and on the rest of the days two of his lieutenants conduct prayers,” the sources mentioned.

Meanwhile, his revenue continues to roll in unquestioned.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=151135