Azadari in Myanmar(Burma) Needs Support

Muharram Procession in Myanmar

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Imamis of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, don’t occupy the place they deserve in Azadar world. They have been faithfully conducting Azadari for over two centuries and need support from Imamis outside Myanmar to preserve and promote Muharram rituals in the wake of religious intolerance witnessed in the recent past. As of now, The World Federation of Khoja Imamis seems to be sincere in this context. The outfit has been facilitating the visits of Sheikh Jamal Hussain to Myanmar during Ayam-e-Aza since 1434 Hijri to create awareness about Hussaini ‘Inquilab’ (Revolution).Sheikh is a ‘Hauze- Ilmiya student from Myanmar and has spent 13 years on Islamic studies in Qum (Iran) and India. He began his mission from Taunggyi with a population of just 300 Imamis. He recited Majlises during Ashra-e-Muharram in Burmese language and also led two processions. He also taught devotees Islamic laws and answered their related queries. After Taunggyi, Sheikh visited Yangon where he delivered sermons in Urdu to narrate tragic martyrdom of Imam Hussain.

After carrying out various activities, including a well-attended seminar on Imam Hasan at Yangon, Sheikh felt outside support necessary. He observed “Myanmar Imamis require special attention from Azadars in other parts of the world for their economic, religious, cultural and social uplift. If this does not happen, there will not be much hope for the progress of Imamis in Myanmar. Other Muslim groups have worked well in the region, and they have greatly benefitted from their strategic planning and organizational skills. We need to increase our Tableegh, social and cultural projects.”

Myanmar has a population of 57 million people with Buddhism as the dominant religion. Out of total 10 million Muslim population, Imamis number about 20000.Yet they observe Muharram with the same enthusiasm as is seen in major centers of Azadari like Lucknow, Hyderabad, Karachi, Lahore and other cities with sizable Imami population. An idea about their fervor could be seen on the video clippings of Ashura and Chehlum- 2015.The viewer will find profusely bleeding mourners, Wailing Imami Women, recitation of Nauhas and Tazia and Alam processions wending their way to Aastana Abbas through the streets of Yangon.

Iranian or Mugal  Mosque- Oldest in Myanmar

The Iranian or Mughal Masjid of Yangon remains the hub of Muharram rituals. The mosque is believed to be the first Imami structure of Myanmar. It was built in 1854 by Indo-Persian Merchants professing Imami faith. With the initiative of Late Muhammad Hashim Isphahani, the wooden structure of the mosque was replaced with a new one in 1914-15.Isphahani retained two engineers of a British firm to design the new structure. They visited Delhi and Agra for preparation. They were much impressed with the design of Taj Mahal and its influence is visible on the existing structure. During Muharram, free lunch was also offered to devotees for ten days but the tradition has now ceased to exist because of financial constraints.     

Profusely Bleeding Devotee  

Apart from Yangon, another city of Myanmar Mandalay is also an important centre of Azadari.There also several other pockets of Muharram rituals.Khoja Imamis rightly feel that "Myanmar has a good potential for true Islamic education. Propagation of Hussaini Mission needs more scholars like Sheikh Jamal who has earned considerable reputation in few years among locals. Admirers of Imam Hussain should donate generously to the ongoing endeavour of world Federation to spread the message of world peace and humanity in regions like Myanmar.(Reference available on request. Photo courtesy Google image)