Venerated: Visitors at imambargah Babul Hawaij drawn to Zuljinah

Zuljinah takes part in the main procession at Qadeemi Bargah Rawalpindi where all other processions converge.

RAWALPINDI:

A grey Zuljinah at Imambargah Babul Hawaij adjacent to the Shah Chan Charagh shrine is the centre of attraction for visitors who come to pray for fulfilment of their wishes, particularly in Muharram.

The Zuljinah, which is known as Oqab Badshah (Eagle King), takes part in the main procession at Qadeemi Bargah Rawalpindi where all other processions converge.

Custodian of the Shah Chan Charagh shrine, Tahir Abbas Kazmi told The Express Tribune that “caring for Zuljinah is considered a religious obligation for Shias.”

“Both Shia and Sunni families in the locality contribute towards Zuljinah’s expenses, including the stipend paid to caregivers,” said Kazmi. However, he added that most of them do not accept payment for their services.

Zuljinah is looked after by five caregivers and is fed a special diet which includes dry fruits, chickpeas, butter, cream and compotes. The horse is taken for a daily walk after Fajr prayers.

Because of a profound spiritual affiliation with Zuljinah, nobody is allowed to ride the horse. Because it is a symbolic representation of the stallion Imam Hussain mounted
in the Battle of Karbala, it is revered by Shias all over the world.

Nobody is allowed to go near Zuljinah or feed it without the custodian’s permission. Miscreants are always looking for ways to harm Zuljinah to spark a Shia-Sunni conflict, said Kazmi.

Zuljinah, originally called Murtajiz, features prominently in the traditional narration of the Battle of Karbala and it is thought to have been a white stallion.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25^th, 2012.