Shi’ite ulema turn to online majalis amid the pandemic

Jurists say mourners can perform rituals and listen to lectures while staying indoors

LAHORE:

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Muharram gatherings (majalis) have been organised in selected imambargahs of the city. However, for those who prefer not to attend large gatherings because of the spread of coronavirus, arrangements for online majalis have also been done.

Many zakirs and scholars, who could not go abroad to attend the yearly majalis due to the pandemic, have also gone online.

Even though the rate of the coronavirus cases have decreased in Pakistan, efforts are being made to implement the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to prevent the spread of the virus through the numerous majalis which are customarily held during the month of Muharram.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Shi’ite cleric Zakia Batool Najafi said she holds majalis in imambargahs for women in different countries of the world, including Kuwait, Bahrain, the United States, Uganda, and Singapore, among others. 

“This year, the month of Muharram is being commemorated differently. Instead of physically delivering religious lectures and recalling the story of Karbala, I will be holding the majalis via different online video applications for people who cannot leave their houses because of the pandemic,” she said.

She added that it will be the first time in five decades that she will be holding a majlis online.

“I could not take my children to different majalis this year either, but I do not want to deprive them of the etiquette and reward of listening to zikr e Hussain (RA) and perform azadari,” she said. “For that reason, I have turned my guestroom into an azakhana.”

She said that children not only intently listen to the sacrifices rendered by Imam Hussain (RA) for the sake of Islam, but they also memorise the lectures.

“Since taking precautions is necessary and many of our ulemas have also urged people to take precautions, I have made a video specifically for women who cannot go to majalis or imambargahs with their young children. In the clip, I teach them how to listen to a majlis online and how it will carry the same reward,” she said.

Another well-known Shi’ite cleric, Agha Syed Mubarak Ali Mousavi, said that the pandemic has changed the circumstances this Muharram, therefore, hundreds of clerics and zakirs are holding online majalis.

“I used to regularly hold majalis at a well-known imambargah in Lahore but considering that many people cannot attend large gatherings due to their weak immune systems, like children, the elderly, and sick people, I have arranged to deliver the lectures online for everyone’s convenience,” he said.Citing the consensus of Shi’ite jurists, he said that people can commemorate the month of Muharram indoors, adding that it would hold the same meaning given the circumstances.

“If a person cannot go to the imambargah for any reason, they can turn any part of their house into an azakhana and carry out the rituals like every year,” he said.

He also appealed to the people of the Shi’ite community to refrain from listening to hateful speeches and statements by blasphemous narrators who try to create a division and hatred among Muslims by insulting religious personalities.

"This month is for remembering the sacrifices of the Ahl-e-Bait (RA). Not to spread hate or sectarianism," he said.