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After a year of closure, Nizamuddin Markaz opened its door for Shab-e-Barat prayers on Sundayday. A policeman was spotted at the entrance to verify the names of prayer attendees, which could only be 50 as directed by the court.

Tablighi Jamaat congregation was held at Nizamuddin Markaz amidst the pandemic and it has been locked since March 31 last year. Charges of violations of the Epidemic Diseases Act, the Disaster Management Act, Foreigners Act and various provisions of the penal code were alleged on Tablighi Jamaat, which was later discharged in many cases by several courts. 

Last Wednesday, the Delhi court permitted the reopening of the mosque with only 50 attendees registered beforehand. However, the court denied the reopening of the madrassa in Markaz.

The Delhi Waqf Board has been approaching the court seeking reopening of the Markaz as the holy month of Ramzan commences from April 13 and Shab-e-Barat was to be celebrated on the weekend. 

The Board, in its plea, has contended that even after unlock-1 guidelines permitted religious places outside containment zones to be opened, the Markaz continues to be locked up and restricted while  several programmes like election rallies and others are being conducted with no concern for social distancing.