Zoonimar school turned into mosque

  Shawl Materia lS Hamid Ashraf Srinagar, May 30:The abandoned building of a government school atZoonimar, on the city outskirts, after being a hub of gamblers, hasbeen turned into a mosque by the local residents. The school building was constructed in 1997-98. It soon, however,became a hub of drinkers and gamblers. The school building hasthree rooms out of which one has been turned into a mosque by thelocals. Feroz Ahmed, a local resident told Etalaat, “Thisbuilding had never any students or teachers so it became a safehaven for anti-social elements.” “When paramilitary CRPF troops tried to take over thebuilding, we swung into action and decided to use the building forprayers,” Ahmed added. The school was shifted to theadjoining area of Saidpora. The school for some time served the purpose of shawl makers in thearea, which is known for shawl and carpet weaving. Another local,Abdur Rashid said, “In winters the shawl makers would use theschool building for shawl spinning and weaving. Then asweeper’s family occupied the school building.” However, Rashid like other residents of the locality, also citesthe attempt of troops to overtake the school building as the mainreason for turning the school into a mosque. “Once we feltthey (troops) were going to occupy the school building, we decidedto turn it into a mosque.” At present, the school building besides being used by the localsfor prayers is also used by labourers working on the repairing ofadjoining Dr Ali Jan Road as a storeroom for storing constructionmaterial and equipments. When asked if the Education Department authorities were informedabout the school building, a local resident said: “Weapproached many departments, but they pleaded ignorance about anysuch school. Then as there was no mosque in our area, we thoughtthat turning the school building into a mosque would end the menaceof anti-social activities and military occupation, and also thebuilding would serve as a mosque.” When contacted, Chief Education Officer, Noor-ud-Din told Etalaatthat the building in question was constructed by the RuralDevelopment Department and later taken over by Education Departmentwith the intention of imparting education to the children ofZoonimar area. “The idea was, however, given up after local residentsrecommended that the location of building on the busy roadsidecould prove fatal for the school children” he added.