By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter
Lucknow: Two miscreants attacked eminent muslim cleric and Naib Imam Aishbagh Eidgah, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahli outside the eidgah on Monday. The incident occured as Farangi Mahli emerged from his office after offering maghrib prayers.
One of the attackers who was nabbed by Maulana’s security guard has been identified as Aftab of Hazratganj. DIG Rajeev Krishna stated that the absconding attacker too has been identified as Abuzar Bux of Saadatganj locality in Lucknow. Meanwhile, Farangi Mahli in a written complain to the police maintained that it was a murderous attack for his life which was thwarted by the security guards. District Magistrate (DM) AK Sagar confirmed that a case has been lodged on the basis of complain given by Farangi Mahli. “The matter is of serious nature and will be probed. If required we will beef-up the security of Farangi Mahli sahib,” said DM Sagar.
As the news spread Farangi Mahli’s followers reached Aishbagh Eidgah to know his well being. Senior officials including DIG Rajeev Krishna, ASP BP Ashok, CO, Bazarkhala, BS Garbyal too reached the scene. When contacted an aide of Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahli indentifed as Adnan confirmed the incident. He stated that as Farangi Mahli came out of Aishbagh Eidgah after offering Maghrib namaz in the evening two persons attacked him. However, they failed in their attempt as the security guards over powered them. “One of them has been nabbed by the police security guards and handed over to local police. He was carrying firearms but failed to fire. There was no firing over the maulana,” he said. The associates of Farangi Mahli also confirmed that he did not receive any injuries and he is safe and is presently at Aishbagh Eidgah.
Farangi Mahli, considered to be a moderate among muslim clerics has received threats earlier also. After the Delhi blasts he got a threat on his e-mail after which administration provided him security cover. Later, once some trespasser also entered his residence in Farangi Mahal however any untoward incident was prevented by timely action by police. A maulana with a modern outlook, Farangi Mahli has considerable following among sunni muslims especially muslim youths with fan following on social networking site as facebook.
Maulana Khalid Rasheed presently is the Naib Imam, Aishbagh Eidgah and is also convenor of Movement Against Terrorism, an organisation based at Lucknow. He also heads, the Markazi Chand Committee which is instrumental in deciding the date of muslim various festivals including eid etc. Recently he got nationwide appreciation among the muslim community after he successfully organised the annual convention of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) in Lucknow during March 19-21.