Karbala of Gulf-Bahrain

Matam (Imambara)Al Ajam Al Kabeer -Bahrain

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Bahrain is rightly called as Karbala of Gulf. Tens of thousands of Imamis visit Bahrain during ‘Ashura’ and ‘Arbaeen’ to perform their religious rituals freely. They flock to Bahrain as it is the only Gulf country that allows Imamis to observe Azadari rituals openly. The history of the first outdoor Muharram procession dates back to 1891 under the leadership of Mirza Muhammad Ismail who was based in Bahrain as agent for the British India steam Navigation Company.

Historian Nelida Fuccardoe has recorded the historic occasion in these words :” This was a momentous event for Manama. People flocked behind a heavily armed Mirza Ismail who proudly made his way through Manama's streets in defiance of the veto imposed by the rulers  on public manifestations of Imami devotion. Manama is the capital city of Bahrain with a diverse population.Since then, Muharram processions are being taken out freely with government even now donating funds and food for ‘Matams’ during Ayam-e-Aza(Period of mourning for Imam Hussain and his companions).In Bahrain, Matam is the name given to congregation halls that are known as Imambara, Ashurkhana or Hussainia in other parts of the world. They hold mourning   assemblies to commemorate  the martyrdom of Imam Hussain at Karbala in 680 AD to save Islam from tyrant Umayyad ruler Yazid.    

Matam with Swords in Bahrain

      

It is widely believed that over 5,000 Matams both registered and unregistered exist in Bahrain. The oldest and distinguished Matams in Bahrain are located in central Manama. Of these, Al-Ajam Al-Kabeer is the first Persian Matam and the largest in Bahrain. Established by Ali Kazim Bushehri, a rich Persian merchant an immigrant from  Iran, Matam Al Kabir has been successfully fulfilling the purpose behind its construction. In his lifetime, Al Kazim himself initiated processions, collected donations to invite Zakirs (orators) and hold commemoration ceremonies and the traditions introduced by him still continues. Other notable Azadari centers are Matam Bin Rajab, Bin Zabar, Madan, Sallum, Al Mudaifa, Al Arrayed, Al Qassab, and Al Hajj Khalaf.

Most of Matams owe their existence to Iranians. Many Iranians had left their motherland in early 20^th century to escape certain what they termed as un-Islamic law introduced by king Raza Shah. They arrived in Bahrain from Bushere between 1920 and 1940.It was the shortest 18 hour route by boat to be in Bahrain. Their arrival added more grandeur to Muharram rituals. Number of Matams also increased considerably as most of them flourished as merchants and contributed generously to give fillip to Azadari. Initially, they settled in Manama but moved to neighboring towns with the traditions of Azadari with them. As a result, entire country witnesses huge crowd of devotees moving in processions, flagellating themselves with chain and knives and lamenting for Imam Hussain as their several million counterparts do after marching to Karbala, especially during Arbaeen to attend ‘Chehlum of Imam Mazloom’.(References available on request. Photo Courtesy-Google Image).