Sunday, August 12, 2012

Moghul Masjid Shia Gadh of Mumbai

The area surrounding the Moghul Masjid or Iranian Mosque during Moharam, Ashura and Chehlum becomes a virtual Shia fortress, or Gadh.
Surrounded by sabils, a sea of black clothes, children moving about with head bands, of Ya Ali Ya Hussain and Ya Abbas.
Little kids having their zanzirs and kamas sharpened by the road side whetting stonemen.
Zanjirs areo n sale along with chinese daggers for cutting the head.
The Shia head is a hard nut to crack.
It withstands stitches and deep gore.

Maulanas in their abhas move from one mosque to the other, a little ahead of Moghul Masjid is Imamiya Masjid, that has undergone drastic change and improvement thanks to Mr Abbas Kazmi celebrity criminal lawyer and convenor of this mosque.
He and members of this Hindustani Shia Mosque have done a lot for the poor, distributing notebooks and school books.They also have a marriage bureau for the Shia community to facilitate an easy match.
Mr Abbas Kazmi is a pride of his Shia community, highly articulate, modern and yet groomed in conservative values of our Shia foundation.

Iranian Hamam or Bath 2002

Iranian Hamam or Bath 2002

Bibi ka Alam at Charminar

Bibi Ka Alam at Charminar

These were tough shots with my zanjir blades hanging from my waist my back bleeding and I took these rare shots

Bibi Ka Alam at Charminar Ashura Hyderabad 2004

Bibi Ka Alam at Charminar 2004 Ashura

I had scourged my back and handing my camera bag to Sajjad bhai I rushed again with my camera to take this shot..

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