NEW DELHI, 3 March 2007 — Ignoring requests to stand alone for better protection, President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam offered midday prayers yesterday at the historic Fatehpuri mosque here, standing among thousands of believers.
The president spent 20 minutes at the mosque, located near the Red Fort monument in the city’s old quarters, during which he accepted the greetings of many with a polite “walekum as salam” (May peace be upon you too).
Kalam entered the sprawling mosque shortly after 1.30 p.m. and joined the prayer, led by Naib Shahi Imam Maulana Moulvi Mohammed Mouazzam, a 49-year-old who along with his brother received the president with a bouquet.
Kalam stood in the second row of a larger gathering 5,000-6,000 strong and prayed, like everyone else, with his head bowed. He wore socks, having taken off his shoes in his car.
The prayers over, the devout secular Muslim left, after thanking the mosque officials and shaking hands with some of the more enthusiastic visitors.
Some of the locals had wanted to submit a memorandum related to Muslim affairs but the Imam said he dissuaded them from doing so “since the president is coming for a religious affair.” “He is the president of India and it is an honor for us to receive him,” the imam said.
