25 CCTV cameras to keep watch on Nakhoda mosque

KOLKATA: The trustees of the iconic Nakhoda Masjid on Zakaria Street in central Kolkata are getting around 25 CCTV cameras installed on the mosque premises to enhance security and record any irregularities or rule violations.


This is the first time CCTV cameras are being installed at the mosque. The CCTV cameras will not only keep watch on the five entry points of the mosque but also at crucial points on various floors of the mosque and prevent any untoward incident. In January an injured person was found on the third floor of the mosque. Police had said that a hammer found inside the mosque was used to attack him.

Nasser Ebrahim, a trustee of Nakhoda Mosque, said, “We are installing CCTV cameras inside the mosque because the safety of the namazis is our responsibility. An unfortunate incident happened inside the mosque in January for the first time and we do not want anything like that to be repeated. The CCTV cameras will strengthen the security of the devotees.”

Thousands of devotees visit the mosque every day to offer namaaz. During the month of Ramzan the mosque becomes the epicentre of religious and philanthropic activities.

“The images will be scrutinized and preserved to aid in any investigation. Earlier some of the gates were kept open throughout the day. But now we have restricted access to various floors when prayers are not taking place,” Ebrahim said.

Nakhoda Mosque, which now has a heritage status, was built in 1926 by the members of the Memon Kutchi community who contributed immensely to the architecture and trade of Kolkata. It is one of the most photographed structures in the city.