Mughal Masjid-Hub of Azadari in Mumbai

An Impressive View of Mughal Masjid 

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Mughal Masjid (Mosque), known as a piece of Persia in Mumbai, is also the most important center of Azadari. With the sighting of Muharram crescent, the Masjid becomes the center of Muharram rituals. For over five decades, Majalis of Mirza Muhammad Athar Saheb has been the biggest crowd puller from 1^st to 10^th Muharram at the picturesque Masjid. Maulana has assumed a sort of iconic status and his annual visit to the city during Muharram is justifiably awaited by devotees. Most of the Muharram processions also revolve around the Masjid located in Dongri area. The locality is also dotted with several other Imambaras but none matches the popularity of the Masjid during Muharram.

 Erected by a wealthy Iranian Merchant Haji Mohammad Hussain Shirazi in 1860, the Masjid was built on the lines of the mosques in Shiraz, Iran. A peculiar feature of Shirazi architecture is that the mosques have only two minarets and no dome. The inner walls of this Masjid have been made using a combination of Onyx and granite. One can also see several Surahs (verses) from the Holy Quran engraved on the walls. The foundation of the ‘mehrab’ or the inner sanctum is made of mud from the holy city of Karbala, Iraq.

The exterior facade of the mosque is built using translucent mosaic tiles that reflect light, giving it a surreal effect. And the ornate crystal chandeliers and exquisite carpets have been imported all the way from Iran. The Masjid also has a Hauz(Pond).It was originally meant to be used for the purpose of ablutions but is now more a decorative piece , for the devotees now perform ablutions from the water tapes. The caretakers wipe tiles every day and the carpets are washed twice a year.

Exquisite Interior of Mughal Masjid 

The mosque is managed by the Haji Mohammed Shirazi trust. The structure underwent a major facelift in 1996 under the leadership of architect Reza Kabul. His efforts restored the Masjid to its original glory. Since then, the managing committee has never been complacent about the upkeep of the Masjid. Every possible effort is made to keep it gleaming, for the committee knows that Masjid is not just a piece of heritage but also a platform that has faithfully served the cause of Imami rituals in a city where fanatics made repeated attempts to stop the observance of Muharram during colonial regime.

“Dongri was considered an uptown. It was a bastion for big traders and exporters. They used to arrive with ship-loads of goods and made a fortune from the sale proceeds. Being lovers of Ahle-Bait, these merchants erected Mosques and shrines dedicated to ‘Panjatan’ in and around Dongri” revealed to the blogger an attendant of a book stall opposite the Masjid .He however failed to explain as to why the mosque was called Mughal Masjid when it has nothing to do with the mighty Mughals nor it was erected during their rule. The attendant just replied that now people have started calling it as Masjid-E-Iranian. He however clarified that only name is being gradually changed not the traditions and ceremonies associated with the Masjid.     

The Masjid is important for both Iranians as well as Imamis settled in Mumbai. It is indeed a place that brims with life and does not sleep during Muharram at all. Besides regular use for prayers and holding of mourning assemblies, Masjid also provides a sense of relaxation in a crowded area. A visitor can easily notice people sitting, relaxing and reading newspapers in the space beyond prayer hall. The Masjid is a blend of religion and leisure and it surely offers an atmosphere of peace and tranquility in an area where hustle and bustle of trading activities don’t let people sleep properly. (References available on request).