Majlis-E-Aza Is Not Just Audio-Visual Treat?

Hujjat-Ul-Islam Maulana Syed Aqeel-ul-Gharavi

Image Courtesy Google

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

It was indeed a ‘Majlis-e-Aza’ with a difference. Usually, Zakirs (Orators) expect appreciation from the audience with phrases like ‘Wah-Wah and ‘Subhan Allah’ in majalis. But Hujjat-Ul-Islam Maulana Syed Aqeel-ul-Gharavi did just the opposite on October 10, 2015 in Chaudhrana locality of Unnao city. While addressing Majlis-e-Chehlum of a great azadar Amna Begum Sahiba, he discouraged the audience from uttering Wah-Wah and urged them to listen his address with rapt attention. Maulana told the audience in a firm but soft voice that only elegiac poetry like Marsiya should be praised in  Majlis –E-Aza but the ‘Khitab’(Address) of Zakir should be listened with utmost seriousness and ‘Maal-E-Majlis’(Inputs relevant to one’s life and society) should be used to serve humanity and make the world a better place to live in. Finding the audience somewhat perplexed at his opposition to slogan raising and praising phrases, Hujjat-Ul-Islam the reason behind his initiative. He drew the attention of audience to the bombarding in Yemen and barbaric killing of innocent people by ISIS in Syria and Iraq and strange silence of Media and human right activists over the persecution of Imamis in different parts of the world. Maulana then asked “Look at the world and decide for yourself whether it is a time to praise or mourn. Yemen has witnessed more droppings of bombs as compared to Second World War. The manner used by ISIS to kill innocent people is similar to what Yazid did during his caliphate.”

Hujjat-Ul-Islam reminded the attendees as to how the lovers of Ahle-Bait sacrificed themselves to keep the mission of Imam Hussain alive despite their persecution by Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphs. He then asked “compare your contribution to Karbala movement against those who were bricked to death, remember those whose blood was used to prepare construction material, recall those who sacrificed their children to perform ‘Ziyarat of Rauza-E-Hussain. Don’t remain muter spectator to oppression. Don’t restrict yourself to ritualistic Azadari. It is a pious act and ongoing campaign against tyranny, injustice and violation of human rights. If you tolerate oppression, you can never be Hussaini or Azadar. I guarantee you will be questioned for your indifference to oppression. So wake up before it is too late”                     

Maulana Gharavi even declared in a thundering voice “you should treat this majlis as the beginning of a campaign to show your unconditional love for Panjatan. A love that calls for your active participation in all initiatives against outfits like ISIS and a regime that does not accept its responsibility towards Hajj stampede-2015.Don’t wait. Perform your role. This is the only way to show your sincere love to Ahle-bait-e-Athar. If the image of a solitary child — a toddler found face-down on a Turkish beach could shock and haunt the world, why can’t 6- month old Hazrat Ali Asghar’s martyrdom be used to awaken the conscience of materialistic world every year?   

Maulana Gharavi’s each and every word deserves not only attention but also action from each Imami to further the cause of Karbala. The relevance and significance of his speech can only be understand by those who keep any eye on forces still active in the world to harm the lovers of Ahle-Bait. Majority of those who actively take part in Marasim-E-Azadari are not aware about the alliance formed against Imamis in Indonesia. How many Imamis are aware that on  April 25, 2014, the world’s first ever “Anti-Imami Alliance” convention was held in Jakarta. The event was attended by thousands of participants, who called for “jihad” against Imamis. During the conference, an Imami journalist who was covering the program detained, interrogated and beaten by group organizers and attendees.

Similarly how many of us remember the spite expressed by the leader of the congregation at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Adel Al Kalbani, when he declared that all Imamis were apostate, unbelievers, and as such should be hunted down and killed. Since Al Kalbani is an appointee of Saudi King himself, his words can easily be perceived as indicator of the state’s sentiment and policy against Hussainis within or outside the borders of the Kingdom. The genocide of Imamis in Gilgit, Baltistan, Hazara and other parts of the world are also outcome of the hatred developed against Hussainis at the behest of Anti-Ahle-Bait regimes. The restriction on Muharram rituals by Malaysia should also be seen in the same context. These examples are just tip of the iceberg. The capitalist world is bent upon crushing Pro-Hussaini sentiments and their sinister efforts can only be frustrated by a counter-strategy that calls for action and not Wah-Wah. The time has come for Zakirs to use Majlis-e-Aza once again as the most powerful weapon against ‘Yazidees’ and Imamis to say ‘Labbaik’ to their call for action without any fear.It is incumbent upon Zakirs to avoid use of Mimber(Pulpit) to air their differences and make personal gains.Likewise, Imamis also need to follow the instructions given from sincere Zakirs and stop-treating Majlis-E-Aza as a audio-visual treat.