Construction of Hindu temple over mosque's ruins worries pan-Islamic body

The Jeddah-based Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) voiced concern over the call made by certain Indian officials to construct a Hindu temple over the ruins of the Baberi mosque, destroyed by extremists in 1992.

Outgoing OIC Secretary-General, Azeddine Laraki renewed the calls it repeatedly made to the Indian government to avert any attempt to the sacredness of the mosque.

He also urged the Indian authorities to honor their previous pledges to re-build the mosque in its initial location and voiced hope that New Delhi will shoulder its responsibilities to protect the mosque and all Islamic holy shrines in India.

Indian Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, had recently voiced support to the construction of a Hindu temple over the ruins of the Baberi mosque, triggering strong debate at the Indian parliament.