Arise Bharat

• Surender K

In India, the Muharram celebrations cause confusion among the Muslims. While political Islam emphasizes unity, when it comes to festivities, they conveniently drift apart.

Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar, holds immense significance for Muslims, especially the Shia community. The commemorations mark the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD.

One of the most iconic elements of Muharram is the Tazia procession. Elaborately crafted replicas of the mausoleum of Imam Hussain are carried out through the streets. In Hyderabad, this procession, known as Bibi-ka-alam or Alam-e-Mubarak, is carried on an elephant.

In rural parts of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, this occasion is known as Peerla Panduga, predominantly attended by Hindus. Curiously, the mourning procession is carried out by Hindus, while funds are collected by Muslims. Unaware of any Islamic history, Hindus participate, believing that attending this will grant them favors from Islamic gods.

Remarkably, several Islamic scholars and Muslim social media influencers in Telugu states urge their fellow Muslims through videos not to celebrate ‘Peerla Panduga’. These videos only serve to reaffirm that Muslims are deceiving themselves, while Hindus become scapegoats by attending such events and offering donations.

At times, Owaisi claims Hyderabadi culture as Ganga Jamuna Tahzeeb while never bothering to join the Bibi-ka-alam, the very Islamic Muharram procession. He has perfected the art of making grand gestures while avoiding substantial actions.

In Srinagar, the Muharram procession was led by Shias after a gap of over 30 years, exposing how Sunnis have shown disrespect to their Shia brethren.

Recent declarations by the Andhra Pradesh Waqf Board challenging the status of Ahmadiyyas as Muslims have exposed glaring inconsistencies within the Muslim community. In this case, chest-battering Islamic politicians and organisations, such as Owaisi, the Muslim Personal Law Board, Raza Academy, and Jamia scholars, went missing or absconded. In 2008, Owaisi opposed Ahmadiyya community meeting in Hyderabad through his representation to then government.

While Islam claims to foster brotherhood and unity among Muslims, the reality is often far different. The Muslim community is divided into various sects, including Sunnis, Shias, Sufis, Barelvis, and more, each with its own interpretations and practices. This infighting has been escalating in the Muslim world for 1400 years. But, Islamic Dawah campaigns actively invite non-Muslims to convert into Islam and visit mosques, yet the same community rejects the claims of Ahmadiyya’s, showcasing a paradoxical and selective approach to society.

The writer is an associate at Centre for South Indian Studies (CSIS)