|
Muharram Commemoration in India
By:
Firoz Bakht Ahmed
Hussein’s sacrifice is commemorated by Muslims everywhere in the world, but nowhere—except perhaps in Iran—is it observed with such emotional intensity as it is in India.
Banaras, the holiest city of Hinduism, has a mixed tradition of commemorating Muharram where some Hindu families participate in the procession. This also happens in Allahabad, Kanpur and Hyderabad, observes Dr Khaliq Anjum, the famous Urdu literateur. Many Hindus in these cities participate in the majlis (congregations), salaams (homages) and marsiyas (elegies); they also take part with enthusiasm in making the taziyas (replicas of the Imam’s mausoleum in Karbala).
Varanasi’s Shivala Mohalla boasts of the most artistic taziya, and a replica of Duldul, Hussein brave horse, is given milk in a traditional ritual in many cities in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
Professor Gopichand Narang, a renowned Urdu and Persian scholar, tells of the wonderful Imambaras that the Hindus built in Vijayanagara during the 16th and 17th centuries. They even wore the black garments of mourning during the 10 days of Muharram. The Scindias of Gwalior and the Holkars of Indore also observed Muharram, because they wished to demolish barriers between the various faiths in their kingdoms and create an ethos of harmony.
In the mourning processions, the followers of Imam Hussein beat their chests and backs with chains and daggers, to recreate the torment that the Imam and his followers underwent. It is believed that the wounds incurred during these demonstrations of grief and faith are cured without recourse to medicine, because God Himself is moved by the sufferings of Hussein. Among the Hindus of Lucknow, the azadari processions are no less revered than the Ramlila. Many Hindus fast with Muslims on this day, while others distribute Rooh Afza and iced milk to those participating in the Muharram processions.
The message of Hussein is not only for the followers of Islam, but all humanity—he taught us the meaning of human rights, the values of dignity and autonomy and courage. Narayan Das Talib says: “Hum ne mana Musalmano tumharey hein Hussein,/ Lekin humko yeh kehney do hamarey hein Hussein,/ Roshni qayam hai jiski woh sitarey hein Hussein,/ Aalam-e-insaniyat mein sab ke pyare hein Hussein.” That is: “We agree, O Muslims, that Hussein is yours—but permit us to claim him as our own too. Hussein is that star whose light shines eternal;
Hussein is the best loved in the realm of humanity.”
|
