The Ram Mandir, one of Hinduism's most sacred temples, is set to be inaugurated on Monday (January 22) in a lavish ceremony.

It stands on what was once the site of the Babri Mosque.

The mosque was raised by a Hindu mob in 1992, who said it was built on the site believed to be Lord Ram's birthplace - a deity worshipped by millions of Hindus.

It triggered nationwide riots that killed 2,000 people, mostly minority Muslims.

In 2019, India's Supreme Court ordered Hindus be allowed to build a temple there - ending years of litigation.

Yet despite decades of religious tensions between Muslims and Hindus, this Muslim community leader is cautiously optimistic.

Haji Asad Ahmed hopes the opening will lay to rest the ghosts of the past and usher in peace.

"The Supreme Court made a judgement on the temple-mosque issue (in Ayodhya). People either wholeheartedly agreed with the judgement, or they just accepted it. But accepting it means that if we live in India, we have to respect the judiciary. Keeping this in mind, everybody is respecting the judgement. Everyone wants Ayodhya to develop. They do not want a situation (like the 1992 religious riots across India) that causes fear and panic in the future."

Ayodhya is home to some 3 million people, including half a million Muslims.

Officials say at least one-tenth of these Muslims live in the immediate vicinity of the Ram Mandir.

And some of residents are fearful any incident could potentially escalate into a major event.

But as Haji Asad Ahmed says no one wants a return to violence seen 30 years ago.

He even hopes the opening and subsequent pilgrims will help local Muslim businesses.

"The development will benefit the few (Muslim) shops that are here in the city as well. It's not like they will be discriminated against or someone will come and say there is no benefit to these people. People who have their shops in the main market area will surely benefit. It will definitely be beneficial if more people (visitors) come and the number of tourist arrivals increase."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself will inaugurate the temple on Monday, fulfilling a key campaign promise of his Hindu nationalist party.

The Ram Mandir is expected to boost the chances of the BJP in this year's general election.