Mosques across Delhi join initiative for a clean Yamuna

The initiative comes in the wake of a meeting between the Shahi Imam of Delhi’s Jama Masjid, Ahmed Bukhari, and Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Vinai Kumar Saxena over the issue earlier this week, and follows a similar meeting the latter held with city’s priests last month.

During the latest meeting, L-G House sources said, Bukhari volunteered to do his bit to make efforts towards the rejuvenation of the river in response to which Saxena requested him to help sensitise citizens in this regard.

Around a dozen prominent mosques across Delhi, including Jama Masjid, Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin Shahi Kalan Masjid and Mufti Nisar Badwali Masjid, Daryaganj, were part of the initiative. More are expected to follow suit over the coming days, according to sources.

“Several people had personally told me that there has been a visible change in the river since L-G saab has taken up the issue in earnest; I had gone to congratulate him on his efforts regarding this,” Bukhari said about the meeting, which took place Wednesday. During the conversation, I asked if I could help in any way, and he suggested that I do so by asking citizens to be a part of the government’s efforts,” he added.

The message went on to underline that Saxena had “got a large section of the river cleaned” and further work in this respect was underway, adding that action was required on the part of all of Delhi’s citizens to create “a better atmosphere, environment and ensure cleaner water from the Yamuna.”

Earlier, addressing a training programme for the city’s priests on April 10, Saxena had asked them to “play the role of educators and change-makers” as custodians and guides of various spiritual and cultural practices, asking them to adopt specific best practices aimed at helping prevent pollution in the Yamuna.

The L-G had asked city priests to promote the use of eco-friendly materials in religious offerings, discourage the dumping of waste or plastic in the river, and educate people about waste management practices in temples and ashrams located on the banks of the Yamuna.