AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): On Sunday morning, January 6, 2025, the seminar “An Examination of Propagation in India’s Shiite Society: A Report on Visits to Kashmir and Lucknow” was held by the Office of Studies and Research of the Academic and Cultural Department of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, in collaboration with the ABNA News Agency. The presentation was delivered by Hojat al-Islam Mohammad Rezaei, a seminary scholar and researcher, in the conference hall of the news agency in Qom.
Shiites in India: A Minority within a Minority
Speaking at this seminar, Hojat al-Islam Mohammad Rezaei discussed the Muslim population in India and said, “India has the largest Muslim population in the world, estimated at between 200 to 300 million people. Muslims in India are dispersed across the country, from Kashmir to the borders with Bangladesh and Nepal. Lucknow is the largest hub of Shiite presence in India, where Shiites experience more freedom compared to Kashmir, where they face oppression. Shiites in Kashmir suffer from oppression. The primary heritage attracting tourists to Lucknow is Shiite heritage. There are approximately 70 to 100 Imambaras in this city, and compiling an atlas of these sites is essential.”
“The Shiite population in India is between 40 to 50 million people. Shiites in India are a minority within a minority, but they have a distinct cultural heritage. The Shiites in India had good relations with the rulers of the country. Many cities and villages in India carried Islamic and AhlulBayt (a.s.)-related names until recently, though many of these names have been changed in the past decade,” he continued.
“The Sadat (descendants of the Prophet Muhammad) form the largest group within India’s Shiite community, with their population estimated at around 10 million. There are villages in India where all the residents are Sadat, and this is more seen in the Kashmir region. Additionally, Sufi sects are prominent among India’s Sunni population, with about half of the Sunnis in the country being Sufis,” added the seminary scholar.
Ashura, a National Holiday in India
Rezaei referred to the national holiday of Ashura in India, saying, “Ashura has been a public holiday in this country since Gandhi’s era. However, efforts must be made to revive Ashura in India, particularly among Hindus, to prevent the commemoration of Ashura from being limited to a solely Shiite occasion. If Indian Shiites fail to maintain this status, the public holiday for Ashura in India may be abolished.”
“The growing influence of Hindu nationalism in India has made it difficult for Muslims to perform prayers in public places and purchase food. These challenges also affect Shiites scattered across the country. While India has many Shiite seminary students and there is no shortage of scholars, there are Shiite-populated villages where seminary students do not go due to financial constraints. Resources must be allocated to send and station missionaries in these villages. On the other hand, many Indian Shiites live abroad, in countries such as those in Europe and North America,” he added.
“In India, sermons have increasingly focused on virtues, limiting their function to the Shiite community. This trend has led to the Shiite society in India becoming more limited, with fewer non-Shiites participating in Shiite religious ceremonies,” stated the seminary researcher.
Empowering Indigenous Shiite Communities
Rezaei emphasized the importance of empowering Shiite communities worldwide. “We have neglected the empowerment of native Shiite communities globally, and strengthening their understanding is crucial. Turkey, for example, has systematically established classical schools in various countries. With the help of philanthropists, we only need to take on leadership roles to establish such schools in different countries. It is also possible for Iranian seminary students to work as independent guides and empower these communities in other countries, outside the framework of official organizations,” he said.
“During my numerous trips to India, I organized exhibitions during the Fatimiyyah (a.s.) days (dedicated to mourning ceremonies for Lady Fatimah Zahra a.s.) in various cities, presenting the practical dimensions of Lady Fatimah’s (a.s.) lifestyle. These exhibitions were well received by diverse segments of Indian society. In addition to exhibitions, I visited seminaries, mosques, Hussainiyyas, and schools to conduct propagational programs for different audiences,” he continued.
He noted, “India is a traditional country, and women do not attend congregational prayers or small religious gatherings in mosques and Hussainiyyas. However, during the Fatimiyya (a.s.) exhibitions in Indian cities, I witnessed significant participation by women and families, highlighting the importance of focusing on women’s capacities. In this regard, my wife conducted classes for Indian women in various cities on practical jurisprudence and ethics. These classes were highly welcomed by Indian women and girls, as Shiite religious gatherings in India have become solely virtue-focused, neglecting practical jurisprudence and ethics.”
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