Jannat-ul-Baqi rally taken out in Old City

Dabeerpura: The members of Shia community took out a rally on Wednesday commemorating the desecration of Jannat-ul-Baqi in Saudi Arabia around 90 years ago. The procession started at Alawa e Bibi, Dabeerpura and culminated at Shabeeh (Replica) of Jannat ul Baqi at Chaderghat.

According to organisers, following the practice every year, the annual Jannat-ul-Baqi procession (which this year falls on the 8th day of the Islamic month of Shawwal) is to commemorate the sad day of destruction of holy graves of the family of Prophet Mohammed in Madina in Saudi Arabia.

The Jannat-ul-Baqi procession was taken out from the iconic Alawa-e-Bibi (the place where Bibi ka Alam is taken out from in the Islamic month Moharram) and passed through prominent localities and places of worship that fall on the route and culminated at Chaderghat.

A teak wood replica of Jannat ul Baqi as it was prior to demolition was carried and believers from across the city and neighboring districts paid their respect. During the 6-hour juloos, they read specific 'Noha' (hymns) of mourning.

In every road there were arrangements for refreshments, said Agha Alamdar Hussain President, Hussaini Organisation. For last 15 years, this organisation has been engaged in this activity. This year there was an increase of participants (5000 to 7000) compared to previous years.

In addition, a few noted inter-faith guest speakers from Hyderabad and other cities such as scholar Irshad Abbas from Lucknow and scholar Shabbir Ali Warsi from Calcutta were present, he added.

Historic context

In 1221, the Wahhabis entered Madinah to damage Al-Baqi as well as every mosque they came across. They also tried to demolish the Prophet's tomb. In 1818, the Ottoman rulers reconstructed all the sacred places.

In 1848-1860, further renovations were made by the Ottomans. In 1924 Wahabis entered Hijaz again. In 1925, they destroyed every Islamic heritage except the Prophet's mosque. The date that this destruction of Jannat-ul-Baqi took place is recorded as 8th Shawwal, in the year 1345 AH, April 21, 1925, explained Agha Alamdar Hussain.

Unfortunately, the destruction of Jannat-ul-Baqi continues today. Several protests have been held over years, several resolutions have been passed, but the destruction has not ceased. Aside "from the destruction, the saddest thing is that one is not even allowed to stand by the cemetery and pay his/her respects to the holy personalities in peace.

Considering the present-day scenario of terrorism, be it in Iraq, Syria, Gaza or elsewhere, this procession is to reverberate the cries of the oppressed people especially after the demolition of Jannat-ul-Baqi by anti-secular forces. As Jannat ul Baqi was demolished 90 years ago, there are no country leaders or personalities who witnessed that and are still alive.

All believers worldwide hence consider this as their own responsibility to take this protest to whatever extent possible so that their voices are heard and Jannat-ul-Baqi is rebuilt," added Agha Alamdar Hussain.