Mumbra
(Thane): The Maharashtra government on Tuesday declared
to establish an Islamic Cultural Centre of International standard
here at Mumbra – a town in the Thane district some 40 km north
east of India’s business hub Mumbai on the western coast.
“The government has decided to establish a world class Islamic
Cultural Centre at Mumbra for which the state will provide all
necessary funds and support”, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar
said in the state assembly on Tuesday.
The proposal to establish the Islamic Cultural Centre in Mumbra –
a town dominated by the Muslims, was mooted by local legislator of
the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Jitendra Awhad.
Giving details of the proposed centre to ummid.com Jitendra Awhad
said that 03 acres of land near Mumbra would be used for the
purpose, and the centre by all account would be of international
standard. “Besides a fully equipped auditorium and library, the
centre will also have an Urdu Ghar”, he said.
“The centre will have books and literature to bridge the gap
between Muslims and non-Muslims, and to create an atmosphere of
better understanding and interfaith and intercultural dialogues”,
he said.
Mumbra is a town with a population of almost 1 million people,
situated around 7 km from northern boundaries of Mumbai and is the
suburb of city. It is close to Thane and Diwa, and is well
connected with Mumbai by roads and the local train network.
Mumbra, which formed as a Mughal outpost in early 17th century
guarding the entry point towards Kalyan fort, was converted into a
bustling shipbuilding industry at the Reti Bunder Pier in 17th
century, famous for its unique sand boats and fast sail boats.
In recent years it saw a huge migration mostly of the Muslims from
central and south Mumbai.
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