Gurgaon: The mosques were overcrowded and many worshippers arrived late, being unfamiliar with the route, as Gurgaon held Friday namaz in 47 designated places under police protection rather than 100-odd spots as before.

Haryana's Manohar Lal Khattar government had offered police protection after three consecutive Fridays of disruption by radical Hindu groups. But the teething problems left many Muslims wondering how they would cope during Ramzan, which starts next week.

The Sanyukt Hindu Sangharsh Samiti, an umbrella outfit for Sangh parivar groups that has been breaking up Friday prayers since April 20, wants a ban on namaz in public places.

It also wants the expulsion of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and Rohingya refugees, who it says swell the numbers of the worshippers.

Chief minister Khattar had appeared to echo their views on May 7 when he said: " Namaz should be held within the precincts of religious places like mosques and idgahs and, if there's a shortage of venues, at private places."

He had, however, promised that his government would maintain peace.

After eminent citizens spoke out against the vigilantism, the government formed a committee of Muslims to identify the public places where they would offer namaz under protection.

Of the 73 places requested, the administration agreed to 23, said a source who was part of the meetings. This was in addition to the 22 mosques in the city and two private properties.

"A little more than half the worshippers have turned up, and many couldn't find their way," said Hazid Shahzad Khan, a community leader who participated in the prayers, held amid a dust storm, on a ground in Leisure Valley.

Before the namaz, Imam Qari Abdul Rashid Barkati sang Sare Jahan Se Achchha like a hymn. "God doesn't teach you to hate, to fight.... Even an eye raised in anger, a hand raised in anger, is not pleasing to God," he said.

Asked why he had sung Sare Jahan, which is uncommon before namaz, he told reporters: "This is the only land we know and love. That we live here is Allah's gift to us."

Acting divisional commissioner Chandra Shekhar Khare had said on Thursday that Gurgaon's population was now more than 30 lakh, with a little over 4 lakh Muslims.

"Not all of them come for namaz," he had said. "Those who don't include women. But even then, it (accommodating so many people) is a huge task."

Electric parts dealer Mohammed Aqib heard Barkati's sermon standing in the 41-degree heat as there wasn't any space left under the tent.

"But how long will this go on? I've spent my whole life here and now suddenly someone comes and says, 'Don't pray'," he said.

"Since the BJP came to power, these RSS-minded people have been misbehaving with us. Our Hindu friends don't have any problem with us performing namaz (in public places)."

Sandeep Yadav, whose company makes fire-fighting systems, said: "Seventy per cent of my staff are Muslim, and they take a couple of hours off on Friday. This time I told them to be careful," he said.

"There are (Lok Sabha and Assembly) polls next year. The BJP knows it isn't coming back at least in Haryana. Jobless folk create trouble like this for political gain."

Rajiv Mittal of the Samiti said: "We had agreed to five spots but the administration increased this to 23. Yet, Muslims have offered prayers on roads outside designated areas."

He added: "We have shown restraint and will inform the divisional commissioner of the violations. The low crowds at namaz today vindicate our stand that Bangladeshis, Rohingya and Pakistanis were taking part and are now staying away."

Despite several drives, Gurgaon police have been able to find just one illegal immigrant from Bangladesh, who was deported earlier this year.

At a namaz spot behind the Iffco tower, a woman labourer who also begs asked this reporter: "Why not allow us this hour on Friday? We get alms after namaz. We won't carry the land away."

When her daughter asked, " Ei dadata ke (who is this gentleman)?" in Bengali, her mother cupped a hand over her mouth. "I have lived here for 15 years. I'm as Indian as you," she said.

Muntaha Khan, a doctor at the namaz, said: "Many skilled workers in Gurgaon are from Malda, Murshidabad and other parts of Bengal. They are now too scared to say where they are from lest they be branded Bangladeshis."