Majlis at the Island

After Chehlum, the first Sunday has been reserved by Mr. Shakeel for a Majlis & Matam at his residence in Mudh Island. One has to cross over the creek by ferry from Versova who charge Rs. 2/- per trip. Majlis started late as Hujjatul Islam Maulana Sayed Zeeshan Haider Zaidi had to come from Bandra Jame' Masjid after reciting one over there.
Before his Majlis there was namaaz with jama't. Mahdi Jaunpuri took over the microphone and read many salaams and nauhas followed by Roshan Rizvi reciting in his sad and sorrowful voice the famous salaam "Ghabraigi Zainab."
Maulana Zeeshan took full one hour for his majlis. After Majlis, 'Anjuman-e-Imamia' who came all the way from Bhendi Bazar by private bus, did seenazani and recited 3 nauhas.
The programme was over after niyaz.

Annual Majlis for Ladies

Every year on first Sunday after Chehlum a Majlis for ladies is held in the evening at Zainabia Imambada's first floor hall. After Majlis a replica of the Tabut of Janab-e-Zainab (a.s.) is taken out. This Majlis is organised by Janab Shahzade Abbas (Kite flying international champion). The Zainabia hall could not accommodate such a huge crowd of the lovers & kaneez of Hadhrat Zainab (a.s.). Abbasbhai has always been generous in the distribution of Tabarruk. Last evening he distributed along with chicken cutlets, a colourful Chador, one tasbeeh & sajdagaah and a booklet of Hadees-e-Kisa. The image on the left is of the same tabarruk.

Maulana Azmi Husain Zaidi

To recite 5 majlises at the office of Anjuma-e-Azadaran-e-Husain, Maulana belonging to Jaunpur will be the zakir. He has studied at the Nasirya Arabic College, Jaunpur and had proceeded to Qom for higher studies. After a 2.5 years of stay he is back to India for a short break.
The Majlis starts from 9.30 pm. The last & 5th Majlis will be at Yacoob Street (Sunday,22ndFeb'09), later a Juloos will be taken out in the remembrance of the martyrdom of the Holy Prophet (s.a.) & Hadhrat Imam Hasan (a.s.) which is on 28th of Safar. This Juloos will commence from Yacoob Street via Zainabia and will end up at Moghul Masjid. This is the 3rd year of this Juloos. For detail contact on 9820010652

5 Majalis (khamsa)

5 Majalis will be held from 19th to 23rd February 2009 at Zainabia Imambada, which will commence at 9.30 pm for an hour daily. The zakir is Janab Sayed Ahmad Raza Naqvi Shikarpuri. After the Fifth Majlis, there will be a replica of Tabut and Shabbedaari All are invited. This programme is arranged by Anjuman-e-Asgharya, Yacoob gali, Mumbai-400003. For detail, contact on 9987243105.

Photos of Chehlum Juloos

The Martyred Ones - a poetry

Men weep for you today in many lands
And on their breasts in bitter anguish beat
And in sad, mournful tunes, the tales repeat
Of how you lost your life upon the sands
You nobly spurned the tyrant's base demands
And Chose death to prevent your soul's defeat
Became a martyr with unflinching feet
For these well may one weep who understands

Hussain is King, the King of Kings
He is faith, defense of faith from him springs
Beheaded though
He never bowed to Yazeed
By God, God's unity by him is established
In which grave is his throne, and his crown where is it
O Earth ! Show us where us where is the Might of Yazeed Today

The Night of Arbaeen

Tonight is the night of Baydaari, known as Shab-baydaari. The Mo'mineen of Mumbai City will be involved in Nauha, Maatam. The Anjumans will visit different Imambadas tonight to recite nauhas and do Maatam. All the Imambadas and Masajid will be open the whole night as tomorrow is Chehlum i.e. 40 days to the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (a.s.). There will be Juloos (procession) tomorrow after namaaz of Zohrayn which will start from Zainabia and will go to Rehmatabad (the graveyard) via Moghul Masjid, Noor Baugh and Mazgaon Circle. The estimated figure of the azadaars (participants) is above 2 millions. The Chehlum, called as Arba-een in arabic has a greater significance. In Karbala, Iraq, there are more than 3 million visiters to the holy shrine of Hadhrat Imam Husayn (a.s.). The araba-een is observed all over the Shi'ite world. There is special prayer for this day, known as Ziyarat-e-Arbaeen (listen).
Tonight the prominent places in South Mumbai where there is Shab-baydaari are: Moghul Masjid, Imamia Masjid, Zainabia Imambada, Yacoob Street, Baqarya Imambada and other places. While in North of Mumbai the major venues are Kurla, Govandi, Mumbra, Mira Rd., Malad, Jogeshwari and other areas.
The poets are busy writing nauhas, and the Anjumans practice as per the tunes. The prizes are given to the poets and Anjumans as per the best nauha or Maatam.