Mosques reopen in Punjab as migrants flock to border dists for jobs

A steady influx of migrant workers from West Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh is reshaping the cultural and religious landscape of Amritsar and Tarn Taran.

Over the past few years, at least 30 mosques, many of which had remained closed since the Partition, have been reopened to meet the needs of the growing Muslim population.

These migrants, largely artisans and traders, came here in search of better job prospects.

Among the mosques reopened this year are at Kairon Market and Farid De Chowk, each around 175 years old. Others include Jama Masjid at Chowk Farid, which resumed operations in November 2024, as well as mosques at Gilwali Gate and Lakkad Mandi and, reopened between 2018 and 2024.

Imam Abdul Noor of Masjid Sikandar Khan, located in Hall Bazar, said of approximately 600 mosques in Amritsar, 30 are operational in the Walled City, including 11 situated on the route from Hall Gate to the Golden Temple.

‘Keeping an eye on trend’

Asked to comment on the developments, Punjab Police officials said so far nothing suspicious has been found but they were keeping an eye on the trend. Earlier, about 200 mosques in border districts were constructed by a Kerala-based NGO, allegedly by diverting funds.

As per the Punjab Waqf Board, 66 mosques and two Muslim schools are operational across Amritsar and Tarn Taran. The board provides a monthly honorarium of Rs 6,000 to each Imam — the person who leads prayers at a mosque.

Imam Abdul Noor said, “With the rise in migrant population, there was a need for place of worship. Instead of constructing new places of worship, the community focused on reopening mosques that were left unused since the Partition.”