NEW DELHI, India: Muslims in India are demanding the right to pray in nearly 600 historical mosques, built during the Mughal era, across the country. The mosques are under the control of the central government for archaeological reasons.

According to Muslim leaders it is high time the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) permitted their community to pray five times a day in all these mosques, which are 500 to 250 years old, if it does believe in religious equality.

"There are nearly 600 mosques all over the country, 53 in Delhi alone, where Muslims cannot pray because they are seen as historical monuments."

"Imagine how you would feel if reasons of history were given to prevent you from praying in equally ancient (Hindu) temples?" a leader asked.

The 53 mosques in the Indian capital include those located inside the 17th century Red Fort, one across the road near Jama Masjid, in the Safdarjung Tomb, in Lodi Garden and at the imposing Qutub Minar complex (Quwwat-ul-Islam).