Sindh govt bans congregations of azadari and Shabeenas

Sindh govt bans congregations of azadari and Shabeenas during the holy month of Ramazan citing non-obligatory nature of these rituals.

However, Shia Muslims reject the ban terming it illogical, unfair and biased decision.

Sindh govt bans congregations of azadari

In this regard, provincial Home Department has issued a notification. It said Yaum-e-Ali religious gatherings not to take place in Sindh this Ramazan.

The Sindh government banned all religious gatherings during the holy month of Ramadan, which includes Yaum-e-Ali and Mehfil-e-Shabeenas, on Tuesday.

According to a notification which the Home Department of Sindh Government released, all religious gatherings “being not farz shall not be held.”

“All religious activities during the holy month of Ramazan with gathering of people like Majalis & Jaloos for Shandat-e-Imam AS (AS), Religious Rallies/Gatherings & Mehfil—e-Shabeenas being not far. shall not be held,” read the notification.

Every year in Ramadan, tens of thousands of people take part in processions and gatherings for Yaum-e-Ali congregations/rallies on martyrdom anniversary of Hazrat Ali across the country.

Why ban on Shia Islamic rituals

On the other hand, an analyst has reminded the Sindh government of unfairness of the ban because it has allowed other congregations.

He noted it as a selective ban on azadari congregations because of its discriminatory nature and unfairness.

M.S. Mehdi cited people of Pakistan and particularly of Sindh province take Coronavirus related precautionary measures seriously.

He called notification ludicrous because Sindh Home Department notification mentioned non-obligatory nature of some religious gatherings. Do they know Taraweeh prayers are also not obligatory prayers.

Sunni Muslims unanimously recognized non-obligatory nature of Taraweeh or taraveeh prayers but government allowed it.

Similarly, M.S.Mehdi said that even it is not obligatory on Muslims to offer even obligatory prayers en masse. Hence he said allowing congregational prayers and banning azadari made no sense.