SHOPIAN: The Shopian administration has started beautification of historical Jamia Masjid here as the court has constituted a committee headed by Assistant Commissioner Revenue (ACR), Shopian to manage the affairs of Mosque and its maintenance after embezzlement and mismanagement of funds.
Locals hailed administration’s move and said that authorities should take concrete steps to resume the glory of Mosque for which it is famous in Kashmir.
“Advice from archaeology department should be taken so that this Mosque may get its beauty back,” Suhail Ahmad Shah, a local said. He said that this Mosque is one of its kind in south Kashmir and second in Kashmir after Jamia Masjid Srinagar.
Locals said that the replacement of roof of this Mosque should be done immediately so that water leaks can be controlled.
“The roof of Mosque is too old and has decayed now.If it rains and snows, water enters the mosque and it may decay wooden infrastructure and walls,” Jahangir Ahmad, a devotee said.
Jamia Masjid Shopian has a unique position in Kashmir as it was constructed in in 1930’s by public donations.
People from from Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam and other districts participated in its construction.
Devotees said that camel were used in those days to bring stones from Rambiara rivulet to construct it. A famed artisan, Ustad Habibullah from Srinagar and his associates were hired for the construction of Mosque.
Locals said that there was massive fall in public donations since 2013 because of embezzlement.
Jamia Masjid Shopian owns dozens of shops and business establishments.
Many here accuse that the shops haven’t been given on proper rents. “Committee constituted by court should look the affairs of Mosque and gain the trust of devotees,”a local said.
Assistant Commissioner Revenue Shopian, Shahnawaz Hussain told Kashmir Reader that they have started beautification of Jamia Masjid. “We had decided to give the work on contract, but locals refused because of tax and other issues.Now the work will be done manually,” he said.

Raashid Hassan