A mosque inaugurated by Pakistani Ambassador Abdul Hamid in Japan’s Kawagoe is turning out to be a cause of embarrassment for the Pakistani community. The mosque opened in April this year but is now under the threat of demolition. Local officials said that the mosque was built illegally.
Kawagoe City Hall clarified that the mosque was built without government permission. A special permit is required under the City Planning Act for mosque construction, which was not obtained. Following this, the city administration has received requests to demolish the mosque, which are currently under discussion.
Pakistani Embassy Issues Statement
This incident also put the Pakistani Embassy in a difficult position. As the controversy escalated, the Embassy immediately distanced itself from the project. In a statement issued on June 1, the Embassy stated that it had no connection to any project that violated Japanese laws. The Embassy appealed to the Pakistani community to strictly adhere to Japanese regulations.
The Pakistani embassy also clarified the ambassador's participation in the inauguration. According to the statement, Ambassador Abdul Hameed attended the event on April 3 after being assured that all legal approvals had been obtained. The embassy stressed that it does not support any activity that does not comply with local laws.
Construction Regulations in Japan
Japan has strict construction regulations, requiring local government permission for any religious building. Pakistan has been put on the diplomatic back foot in this matter. The ambassador's participation in the inauguration has caused international embarrassment for Pakistan.