Minister of State for Hajj and Auqaf Syed Farooq Ahmad Andrabi today laid foundation for renovation and repairs work of Qadeem Jamia Masjid Bahu Fort.

The renovation work of this historical Mosque would be completed at an estimated cost of Rs 50 lakh. The project also includes construction of a Madrassa and bathrooms in the premises of the Masjid.

The Auqaf Department has released Rs 10 lakh as grant in aid for execution of this project.

Speaking on the occasion, the Auqaf Minister asked the Masjid management committee to raise sufficient funds through public donations for early completion of the renovation works.

The Minister said that utmost care is being taken to conserve the Wakf property and efforts are on to make the functioning of the Auqaf Department more vibrant   and result orientated.

Later, the Minister also reviewed the overall functioning of Auqaf Department in a meeting, which was attended by the Administrators of Jammu Division.

Chief Executive Officer Raja Mohammad Malik was among other senior officers present in the meeting.

The meeting reviewed districts wise status of Auqaf property. The administrators apprised the Minister about the activities carried out in different districts for the optimum utilization of the wakaf assets for the benefits of the society.

The Minister asked the Auqaf authorities to adopt innovative measures so that its assets are used in an optimum and gainful manner. He called upon the concerned to work with missionary zeal to protect the property and use the same to create more assets for improving revenue returns. “Wakf is both a department and a religious organization and has a lot of assets which could be utilized for the welfare of the community”, he said.

The Minister asked the administrators and tehsil Auqaf officers to identify Auqaf land in their respective areas with business point of view and put it to better use, saying that it would generate employment avenues for the un-employed and improve financial health of the department as well.

Andrabi said that the Auqaf is working under a well-knit strategy to provide enhanced facilities at shrines.

The Minister directed the Auqaf authorities to submit a detailed report of availability, nature of Auqaf land, status of court cases besides list of encroachers to the higher ups monthly. He also asked them to serve notices to encroachers and defaulters so that legal action can be taken against them. “Conduct joint visits at sites located in your respective jurisdictions to closely monitor and assess the potential of Auqaf land so that suitable assets are created. Also start fencing on vacant land amicably wherever available,” Minister instructed the concerned officers.

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