KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) - Raju Rathore's Hindu faith deeply intertwines with his devotion to Imam Hussein, especially during the period of Muharram, one of Islam's most sacred months. In Karachi, Rathore, a member of the Hindu community, commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein alongside Shiite Muslims, highlighting the shared respect and historical ties between communities.
Muharram is particularly meaningful to Rathore, whose parents migrated from Gujarat, India, to Pakistan during the Partition of India in 1947. He expresses his commitment to participating in Muharram events, specifically citing his family's deep-seated devotion to Imam Hussein. This remembrance stems from a personal promise made by his mother at the shrine of Masoom Shah Bukhari, from which she vowed to honor Hussein's martyrdom should she conceive, resulting in Rathore's lifelong involvement in crafting tazias, or temporary replicas of Hussein’s mausoleum carried during processions.
Rathore states, "This is our passion," emphasizing the significance of his work, which he has continued for decades in honor of his mother's vow. His dedication reflects a broader historical connection that allows non-Shiite communities, including Hindus, to engage in Muharram rituals. This historical intertwining has led to groups known as Hussaini Brahmins, who adopt practices that draw from both Hinduism and Shiite Islam. According to Justin Jones, a professor of religious studies at the University of Oxford, this involvement stems from the fact that many ruling dynasties in South Asia were Shiite, which led to public commemorations of Hussein’s martyrdom that encouraged wider participation over time.
Despite the fact that Muharram observances have become less common in recent years due to increased separations between religious communities, the participation of Hindus in Karachi remains vibrant. Pakistan's 2023 census reports nearly 3.9 million Hindus, marking them as the country's largest religious minority. While some Pakistani Hindus have faced challenges regarding their religious freedoms, Rathore reports that he practices his faith openly and freely. He affirms, "Yes, I am Hindu, but this is not about religion," as he and many other Hindus in Karachi hold Imam Hussein in high regard.
Together with fellow Hindus, Rathore attends Shiite congregation halls during Muharram, offering prayers and engaging in rituals, including chest beating, before joining communal processions. Bharat Kumar, another devotee from the Hindu community, echoes Rathore's sentiments, stating, "Our religion has never taught us that because we are Hindus we should not participate in or respect others’ traditions." Both Kumar and Rathore meticulously craft tazias using materials like paper, glass, and cardboard, ensuring that these traditions are passed down to future generations.
As Rathore prepares for Ashoura, planning to continue his craft for as long as he is able, he remarks, "I have been doing this not just for a few years but for about 45. I am now 52 years old, and as long as I have the strength to continue, I will keep making them." This commitment underscores the enduring cultural symbiosis between the Hindu and Shiite communities in Karachi, a testament to the rich tapestry of religious coexistence in the region.
