Muharram in Lakshadweep Island

A View of Muharram Procession with Traditional 'Dhols' 

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Lakshadweep is a tiny island of India but it is second to none in observing Muharram rituals. The martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain and his companions is recalled in Lakshadweep with much zeal and fervor. Muharram is also observed with complete inter-faith understanding as both Imamis and non-Imamis mourn the killing of Prophet’s grandson Imam Hussain on the arid plains of Karbala (Iraq) in 680 AD. They pay glowing tributes to Imam for preferring to die instead of paying allegiance to Caliph Yazid. History records Yazid as a drunkard, tyrant and womanizer who openly denied that any holy book was ever revealed on Prophet Hazrat Muhammad. On numerous occasions, he had declared that’ Bani Hashim’, the clan of Prophet, had cooked up the story of Prophet Hood and revelation to gain power. Yazid was morally so lax that he maintained illicit relations with women used by his own father. Several scholars have written that he had scant regards for holy Quran, Prophet and tenets of Islam. They have also dubbed him as the first composer of obscene poetry. He became caliph following the death of his father.

To gain legitimacy to his un-Islamic acts, he sought allegiance from Imam and forced him to leave Medina. His forces surrounded him at Karbala, denied them even water for three days and finally slaughtered Imam and his small band of companions on 10^th of Muharram in 61 Hijri. Since then, his martyrdom with three days hunger and thirst is being observed ever year.

Lakshadweep also does not lag behind in paying tribute to the king of martyrs. The island had no Muslims before the arrival of Hazrat Ubaidullah of Mecca. He preached Islam among the locals and braved their resistance with humbleness, piety and noble character. As a sequel to his efforts, over 93 per cent inhabitants of the island today are Muslims. Majority of them are non-Imamis but they observe Muharram with solemnity and splendor. They take out very heavily embellished Tazias in mass processions throughout the streets of Lakshadweep.          

Imamis also observe Muharram in accordance with their traditional rituals. They perform ‘Matam’(Chest beating) and also organize mourning assemblies. They also wear black clothes, wail and lament like their counterparts in rest of the world to mourn the tragedy of Karbala. They cry Ya Hussain Ya Hussain while beating their chests. The island has no history of sectarian violence but how long the inter-faith understanding will survive? Only the time will answer the question. There has already been penetration of fanatics in Lakshadweep. They have also erected a mosque and embarked upon a ‘mission’ to discourage people from participating in Muharram ceremonies. These fanatics are followers of those unleashing terror in the world in the name of Islam. They are the ones who once enjoyed the backing of US, its allies and are still receiving funds from Sheikhs of Gulf who never relished Muharram ceremonies in view of its call to rise against oppression even if one is pitted against a tyrant with resources in abundance. Indian government needs to be very cautious against the infiltration of such elements in a quiet and serene island like Lakshadweep. A close monitoring is necessary or else the island known for its religious tolerance and observance of Muharram with grandeur may face what Belgium is facing at present. Such a situation should never be allowed to appear in Lakshadweep island its divine beauty thanks to a wide variety of flora and fauna accompanied by sun-kissed beaches.