Baqar Nasser and Me and Moghul Masjid

Baqar Nasser and Me and Moghul Masjid, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

The Juloos was behind us inching close towards its final destination Imamiya Masjid via the Iranian Mosque..it was from here I moved towards my favorite mosque to shoots its interiors ..Moghul Masjid is Gods Paradise on earth, the only Shia mosque with a very rich Iranian heritage and influence on the Shias of Mumbai..

Every tile has a story to tell, every wall of the mosque is a narrative by itself , Moghul Masjid where Shia boys became men in one night , cutting their backs in the courtyard during Shabedari.. the blissful fountain in which they washed the alams and their zanjeers and their kamas.

Moghul Masjid Ashura afternoon the smell of khichda, the huge thalis served by the Iranian men to the public,, the majlis of Athar Saab every night during Moharam the hot cups of Kava at Khushali the Iranian tea shop.

Shia teenagers life would be devoid of Moharam excitement without Mogul Masjid , yes the only Masjid with a Godly heart and soul.

I hope some rich philanthropist makes a nice website of this Mosque where God actually lives and is visible in the waters of the fountains..his bounty shared by the fishes swishing away in mutual coexistence the only fountain where big fish dont eat small fish.

My humble childhood I clearly see in this fountain, reflecting memories sepia toned, me holding my dad late Mohomed Shakir's finger as he bought me here once in a while.

My dad was connected to Imamiya Sabil and the Fakke Shikani dal chawal or khichda on Ashura day was made by him for the azadars, my Dads uncle was late Maqbool Bhai , the founder of this Sabil.


My paternal grand mother Khurshed Baji and Maqbool bhai were close relatives both hailing from Vazir Ganj Lucknow.

Maqbool bhai stayed at Pydhonie , while we stayed at Wodehouse Road Jony Castle.. once Khatau Mansions opposite the Military Quarters in rooms rented from late Nawab Kashmiri.


This picture was shot by another young versatile Shia Talib Rizvi, with a penchant for knowledge, he is the webmaster of Mir Anees.Com a student of Mirza Athar Saab.

Talibs father Mehndi Rizvi Bhai is a social activist and an important figure among the Shias of Mumbai.


Baqar Nasser is a cult figure among kids, he runs Top Spin and is an entrepreneur and self made lad..he and his brother Habib are known faces at Mumbais juloos.
They are the pioneers of the Iraqi Kama Matam in Mumbai both during Ashura and Chehlum.