Jama Masjid Shahi Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari today anointed his 19-year-old son, Shaban Bukhari, as the Naib Imam (deputy Imam) of the 17th century mosque at a ceremony, notwithstanding the surrounding row and High Court's ruling which said that the ceremony had no "legal sanctity".
"I announce Shaban Bukhari as the Naib Imam of Jama Masjid. I hope that he will live up to the expectations," Bukhari said during the ceremony.
The ceremony was attended by a clutch of Muslim leaders, however, no political leader of any major party took part in it. The ceremony was held after the evening prayers (Maghrib).
Muslim leaders and scholars from across the nation and other countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran and Egypt were present for the function.
Shaban Bukhari is pursuing his bachelor's degree in social work at Amity University.
A controversy had erupted after Imam Bukhari had not invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the function but sent invitations to several leaders across the political spectrum and even Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
The Delhi High Court yesterday said the ceremony (dastarbandi) to anoint Bukhari's son as the Naib Imam of Jama Masjid "would not amount to an appointment" and has no legal sanctity.
The court also noted that under the Wakf Act, 1995, the law only "provides for a mutawalli (manager) of a wakf and contains no provision for appointment of Imams of Wakf properties, even if a masjid".
The court's order came on three PILs challenging the Shahi Imam's decision to appoint his son as the Naib Imam.
ASI had also requested the court to declare the city's Jama Masjid as an ancient monument because of its national importance while contending that it needs to be protected.
