Faizabad: Chairman of Ayodhya Jama Masjid Trust (AJMT) Maulana Umair Ahmad Naqshbandi said today (Jan 7, 2004) that the Trust had selected a land in Ayodhya, situated outside the acquired land for the construction of a big Jama Masjid.

Its foundation stone may be laid on March 21, 2004, he told reporters in Faizabad.

Delegation of the Trust would submit a proposal for the construction, which will be started after getting necessary permission from the Government, he told reporters.

He pointed out that there will not be any need for consent from any Muslim organisation in the country for that purpose.

Managing trustee of the Trust S A A Rizvi, who was also present at the press conference, said the Trust will urge the Central Government to make necessary amendments in the Ayodhya Acquisition Act 1993 to expand its purview beyond the acquired land in Ayodhya to facilitate construction of a temple and a mosque.

He said that their main aim was to prepare an atmosphere of goodwill and harmony among the people in the country.

Maulana Naqshbandi said they had met Haji Hashim Ansari, plaintiff in Ayodhya case, Haji Mehboob, Ekhlaq Hussain and Sadiq Ali alias Babu Beg in Ayodhya and discussed about their proposals.

"We are leaving for Gorakhpur to meet VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) leader Mahant Awaidyanath there to discuss the matter," he said.

However, the delegation could not meet Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, President Ram Janambhumi Nyas as he was away in other States on religious tour.

Maulana Naqshbandi described as "incorrect" reports in a section of the press that the Trust proposed to construct a mosque in the acquired land in Ayodhya saying the dispute regarding the ownership of land in the acquired area was pending in the court.