Friday Prayers In City Peaceful Amidst Tight Security

Amidst tight security arrangements, the Friday prayers concluded peacefully in the Old City, particularly at the Mecca Masjid.

Most parts of the Old City were calm following the unrest over suspended BJP MLA Raja Singh's comments on Prophet Muhammad. The Mecca Masjid and Bhagyalakshmi temple areas were reportedly peaceful. All shops and other establishments in the Shah Ali Banda area too started functioning after they were shut down earlier due to protests. Devotees too started to pay a visit to places of worship after peace returned.

Tight security arrangements however continue to be in place in Goshamahal, Tappachabutra, Habeebnagar, Mangalhat and Jummerat Bazaar. Police personnel, Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel have been deployed in the area.

Earlier, on Thursday, Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi appealed to the citizens to ensure peaceful Friday prayers, given that their "biggest demand" of getting BJP leader T Raja Singh detained and suspended over his remarks on Prophet Muhammad had been fulfilled.

Protests had erupted in Telangana following the alleged remarks of the suspended BJP leader. Singh had been detained under the Preventive Detention Act and was being lodged in the Central Prison, Cherlapally, said the Hyderabad Police on Thursday. The BJP too suspended the MLA from the party, and said that his remarks were against the party's line.