Muslims in Wau are at odds over Molid Square as investors were invited to develop the area with buildings and shops.
The disagreement grew louder during the festival that marks the end of Ramadan and a section of the community wanted to remove their trust on members of state Islamic Council before the Governor, Voice of Hope reported.Molid Sqaure functions as an open-air mosque during major Muslim festivals.
Director of Religious Affairs for Muslims in the Sate, Sheikh Atieb Akech, accused the Council of selling real estate to investors without the agreement of the Muslim community.
He said the deals were done in secret and the Council did not reveal the names of investors who bought the land.
Muslims in Wau own a range of old properties and real estates which are managed by the State Islamic Council.
Secretary General of Islamic Movement of Abyei in Wau Abdulkhrim Manyel Chol said any deal with investors should benefit the community and not individuals.
He added that new buildings should not affect the capacity of the square to hold big gatherings.
Governor Rizik Hassan Zachariah said it was the government who stopped construction works at Molid Square.
He reminded that the square is public land and nobody can build on it without the government’s permission and following its rules.
Builders one month ago brought stones to Molid Square but the local authorities stopped their work.
Voice of Hope was unable to contact Western Bahr El Ghazal Islamic Council to hear their side of the story.