A Symbol of Women's Persistence-Imambara Yadgar-E-Hussaini

Tabbarukat at Yadgar-E-Hussaini

Ashurkhana Yadgar-E-Husaini- An Example of Women's Persistence 

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Hyderabad, a prominent center of azadari with a regal touch, also has the unique distinction of having perhaps world’s only ‘Ashurkhana’ (Imambara) for the exclusive use of women. Known as ‘Yadgar-E-Husaini’, the Ashurkhana was built by women to commemorate the 1300^th anniversary of martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Husain at Karbala. The history behind its construction reveals how the female admirers of Imam Husain achieved their monumental task against all odds and the meticulous upkeep and management of Ashurkhana till today only indicates that they are true followers Hazrat Zainab, the brave daughter of Hazrat Ali and Sister of Imam Husain. It is a well-known fact that it was Hazrat Zainab who had the courage to hold the first majlis to mourn the martyrdom of her brother and his companions right under the nose of caliph Yazid. Moreover, her fearless and thundering ‘Khutbas’ (speeches) delivered in the markets of Kufa and Damascus not only kept Imam Husain’s mission alive but also resulted in the downfall of Umayyad dynasty.     

Prior to construction of Yadgar-e-Husaini, women used to perform azadari at home-based Ashurkhanas in Hyderabad. The affluent families hosted Majlises at their sprawling residential complexes while their non- affluent counterparts had neither resources nor space to organize their own majlis. They had to attend Majlises, organized by men, from the area earmarked for them in Ashurkhanas. Female devotees of Imam felt the need for a separate Ashurkhana or Community space when people from other parts of the country started arriving in Hyderabad in search of jobs in large number and number of working class women also increased. They formed in 1939, Markazi Anjuman Niswan-E-Barkat-E-Aza as a sister organization of Markazi Anjuman-E-Barkat-E-Aza. The latter was formed in 1934 by four Hyderabadis to give fillip to azadari. Initially, Niswan-E-Barkat-E-Aza had only a dozen women but soon their numbers swelled and the association got its formal registration on January 2, 1939.A teacher of famous Mahboobiya School and Zakira Ahle-Bait (a female orator) Mohtarma Latif al Nisa was elected as its first President. The association gave first priority to assist women in performing azadari at their residences in the first year but began visualizing a separate Ashurkhana for them not only to mourn martyrs of Karbala but also to impart religious teachings to girls of the community.

Their enthusiasm however evoked a cold response from the known philanthropists of Hyderabad. The Commissioner of Hyderabad Nawab Mehndi Nawaz Jung out rightly rejected the idea, saying “It is not ladies’ work”. Similar discouragement they received from an affluent leader of the community Syed Jafar Sahib. Instead of getting de-motivated, the association took it as a challenge and decided to build Ashurkhana on their own.        

A lady blessed with exceptional leadership qualities and determination, Latif al Nisa launched a fund raising project to turn the dream of women all Ashurkhana into a reality. As the 1300^th anniversary of Karbala tragedy was falling in 1942, the association resolved to achieve their task by then positively. The resolution propelled them to introduce novel ways of fund raising. They encouraged women to ask their husbands to dole out something for their project. They also kept ‘Golaks’(Small Boxes to keep coins and notes) for regular savings and donated the amount every month. The association also arranged sale of handicrafts and donated the profit for the ambitious project. Zakira Latif used her oratory skills to convince the women at large for the need of a separate Ashurkhana and also to mobilize funds. She begged for Maula while addressing religious congregations and usually her appeals received desired response from the audience.

The efforts yielded enough funds and they could purchase three plots of lands in the heart of city near Darul- Shifa months before the 1300^th anniversary. They commemorated the anniversary by pitching tent on the land purchased to hold a majlis on 2^nd of Muharram, the day considered as significant following purchase of land by Imam Husain after his arrival on the plains of Karbala in 61 hijri. Association members dedicated the land purchased by them to Imam and felt having realized their cherished project as partially completed. As the funds raised had exhausted on purchase of land, Zakira Latif and Begum Mehndi Yaar Jung again embarked upon mission fund raising for the construction of building. The previous experiences enabled them raise adequate funds quickly this time and the structure of Ashurkhana was completed by 1946 with an inner shrine for relics and a large hall for religious gatherings for Muharram ceremonies and other important occasions. Several shops were also built and given on rent to ensure regular income for Ashurkhana for its maintenance.                    

Women offered generously embroidered ‘alams’ (standards), miniature of tazias and other icons used for decorating Ashurkhana. They installed an ‘alam’ with a deep sense of devotion and gratitude for Imam Husain for enabling them to realize their dream and declared ’Yadgar-E-Husaini’ open to women. They restricted the entry of men to the shrine but permitted them to visit it once in a year on 6^th Rajab to avoid charge of gender biased. They also constantly sought advice from men about the functioning and management of Ashurkhana. They run Ashurkhana so effectively that it stands today as a symbol of a befitting tribute to the sacred memory and mission of Hazrat Zainab. The popularity of Ashurkhana has been growing with the passage of time with additions to the original edifice. For holding the rituals of ‘Dastarkhwan’ and ‘Nazr’ separate room called as ’Niyazkhana ‘has been built, A ‘Namazkhana’(Hall for prayers) has also been added. The maintenance of the building is immaculate. The floor is always kept covered with clean white linen. The roof has been decorated with chandeliers and glass light domes from Belgium. During first ten days of Muharram, Majlises are held regularly. Ashurkhana is also used for holding ‘Jashn’and ‘Mehfils’to mark birth anniversary of Imams and remembrance of occasions like Ghadeer-E-Khum and Eid-E-Zahra. Throughout the year, ladies keep visiting Yadgar-e-Husaini’ to offer prayers, fulfillment of their wishes, hold and attend Majlises and recite Quran. The building also used for imparting religious teaching to groom them as protectors of Azadari and strengthen them spiritually to act as faithful partners of Hazrat Zainab’s mission in present era. ( The author has not deliberately given relevant references to keep the size of article small but can make available the same upon request.)