Ashurkhana Mutawallis boycott coordination meeting

Mutawallis and other caretakers of some of the Shia Muslim Ashurkhanas said on Tuesday, June 24, boycotted a coordination meeting held by the Hyderabad police in preparation of Muharram alleging improper conduct by the local police.

On Tuesday, some of the hereditary Mutawallis like that of the historic Baadshashi Ashurkhana in the Old City received calls from the Hyderabad police only a few hours before the Muharram coordination meeting. Some of the were unaware of the meeting, and said that they got calls only after the



local press enquired with the cops about who all were called for the meeting.

“They called us very late and also they never listen to us. We are the managers of the Ashurkhanas, as we install the Alams. The police does not ask us anything, and only speak to a few scholars and others before Muharram. We got a call just a few hours before the Tuesday meeting and that’s it. We are the people who manage and take up the work, so our suggestions are also important,” said Mir Abbas Moosavi, the Mutawalli of the Baadshahi Ashurkhana.