Shah ast Hussain (as)

Hardcore Kama Matam of Mumbai Chehlum Arbaeen

Hardcore Kama Matam of Mumbai Chehlum Arbaeen, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

Posted by photographerno1 on 19 Feb 2009
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Syed Cuts His Sons Head - Kama Matam

Syed Cuts His Sons Head - Kama Matam, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

Posted by photographerno1 on 19 Feb 2009
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Syed Cuts His Sons Head - Kama Matam

Syed Cuts His Sons Head - Kama Matam, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

Posted by photographerno1 on 19 Feb 2009
Filed Under: shiasm | No Comments »

Hardcore Kama Matam of Mumbai Chehlum Arbaeen

Hardcore Kama Matam of Mumbai Chehlum Arbaeen, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

Posted by photographerno1 on 19 Feb 2009
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Hardcore Kama Matam of Mumbai Chehlum Arbaeen

Hardcore Kama Matam of Mumbai Chehlum Arbaeen, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

Posted by photographerno1 on 19 Feb 2009
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Karbala Revisited in Mumbai -Chehlum Arbaeen

Karbala Revisited in Mumbai -Chehlum Arbaeen, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

Firstly without sounding boastful, I must stress its real tough shooting this event at the Rehmatabad Shia Cemetery during Chehlum or Arbaeen the 40 th Day of the Martyrdom of Imam Hussain…this is a narrow pathway facing the podium where the Majlis stand or mimber is placed.

The entire place is totally jam packed, daggers slashing the heads , blades moving rapidly and you are in between the blade and the matamdar..

You have to push your way through the melee , there is no human feeling of concern, its just every man for himself..and its dark, , tungsten lighting, tempers are frayed, moods are volatile as everyone wants to do his stuff.

A little ahead , the guys have started the zanjir matam, with animal ferocity, this is the most dangerous , as you dont know when it might hit you, ..these guys stretch their hands with the flagellating blades.

Syed is a veteran, so are both his brother Sameer and Danny.. their children too are actively involved , cutting themselves like their fathers,, even Syeds child a few months old had his head cut by Syed himself.

Through my pictures I am trying to transport you to Rehmatabad Shia Cemetery, similarly these guys while cutting themselves are transported to Karbala where the Grandson of the Holy Prophet of Islam was murdered in cold blood , totally outnumbered by the heinous Yazidi forces.

But Imam Hussain the humble grandson fought valiantly , and Moharam the mournful month is celebrated remembering his Supreme Sacrifice,,,

There were more hardships and indignity his family faced , but they did not give in to Yazid the Caliph of the Ummayad Dynasty responsible for this genocide and carnage.

Shah ast Hussain, Badshah ast Hussain
Deen ast Hussain, Deen Panah ast Hussain
Sardad na dad dast, dar dast-e-yazeed,
Haqaa key binaey La ila ast Hussain

Loosely translated

Ruler is Hussain, Emperor is Hussain,
Faith is Hussain , guardian of faith is Hussain .
Offered his head and not the hand to Yazid.
Truly, the mirror of faith is Hussain

Words of Kwajah Moinuddin Chishty of Ajmer

Posted by photographerno1 on 19 Feb 2009
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