Rajouri Mar 05: Chairperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board, Syed Darakhshan Andrabi, on Thursday inaugurated the newly constructed Panj Peer Mosque in Rajouri and laid the foundation stone for the mimber construction at Eidgah in Kotranka, Budhal, during her visit to the Pir Panjal region.
The visit marked the beginning of her two-day infrastructure and community development tour of the region.
During the first leg of the tour, Andrabi formally inaugurated the Panj Peer Mosque and shrine infrastructure in Rajouri, which will provide improved space and facilities for local worshippers.
Later, she travelled to Kotranka in Budhal, where she laid the foundation stone for the mimber construction at the Eidgah that hosts large congregational prayers.
Former minister Chowdhry Zulfikar Ali, BJP district president Dev Raj Sharma and Waqf Board Executive Officer Abdul Qayoom Mir accompanied the Waqf chairperson during the visit.
Andrabi also addressed a public rally in Rajouri where she spoke about the vision of Viksit Bharat promoted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The events were attended by local residents, religious scholars, community leaders and officials of the Waqf Board.
Officials said the tour is part of a broader initiative by the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board to strengthen religious institutions and expand public facilities linked to Waqf properties across the Union Territory.
They added that several new development projects will be launched during the two-day visit to Rajouri, while a number of completed works will also be dedicated to the public.
Speaking to media persons, Andrabi said the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board has made significant efforts in recent years to restore and develop mosques, shrines and other religious properties across different districts.
“Strengthening religious institutions remains an important priority. Our aim is to ensure that shrines, mosques and Eidgahs across Jammu and Kashmir are properly developed and maintained so that the community benefits from improved infrastructural facilities,” she said.
She further said that several new projects are in the pipeline and will soon be launched in both remote and urban areas.
Andrabi emphasised that the development of Waqf properties should not only preserve religious heritage but also contribute to community welfare and social harmony.
Local residents welcomed the initiatives and expressed hope that such projects would further strengthen religious life and community cohesion in the Pir Panjal region.
Prominent representatives including Ramesh Chander, Dil Mir, Jagat Ram, Azhar Mehmood, Samreen Khan, Manzoor Naik, Tarun Vasson, Captain Nazim Din and Shikha Bali also attended the events.
