Saudi king offers to renovate Delhi mosque

File picture dated November 4, 2005 shows Indian Muslims praying on the occasion of the Eid-al Fitr festival at the Jama Masjid mosque in New Delhi. PHOTO: AFP

But newspaper said the offer had raised worries among India's security agencies, who fear an influx of Saudi money could be used for the "promotion of sectarianism" in the mainly Hindu but officially secular country.

Neither the Saudi embassy nor the government were available for comment on the newspaper report.

The sprawling Jama Masjid in the Indian capital's teeming old quarter was built in 1656 by Emperor Shahjahan and is in need of repair.

In addition to repairing the mosque, which can hold 20,000 worshippers, the Saudis also wish to provide funds for education, the newspaper said.

It did not specify whether the money would be earmarked for Muslim schools or to fund education in general. India's Muslim population totals 130 million, according to the 2001 census.

While uneasy over the offer, the newspaper said the government was keen not to cause offence to the king who will be the chief guest at India's Republic Day celebrations on January 17.

At the same time, the report said the government would much prefer the visit -- the first by a Saudi monarch in 51 years to India -- was "kept to the secular and economic levels".

The paper said the offer to repair the mosque came from the Saudi king, whose emissary contacted the instution's chief cleric, Syed Ahmed Bukhari.

It said Bukhari confirmed the offer and had asked the Saudis to approach the government. Bukhari also was not immediately available for comment.