Shia clerics will write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding restoration of original names of Muslim historical and heritage sites in Lucknow. Shia cleric Mohammad Mirza Yasub Abbas made the announcement after the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) put up a signboard naming the Imambara Shahnajaf as the tomb of Ghazi-ud-din-Haider.
The cleric termed the action as an attempt to destroy Muslim history and heritage. On the other hand, ASI officials claimed that Shahnajaf Imambara was mentioned in the Ancient Monuments Protection Act, 1920 as the tomb of Ghazi-ud-Din Haider, I have only put up the correct signboards.
“Continuous attempts are being made to destroy Muslim history”
Maulana Yasoob Abbas, who is also the general secretary of the All India Shia Personal Law Board, said, “Continuous attempts are being made to destroy our (Muslim) history and heritage. Heritage sites like Bada Imambara, Hussainabad Imambara, Imambara Shahnajaf picture gallery, Safed Baradari and other monuments are generating revenue of crores of rupees for the government every year from tourism.
ASI has failed to maintain or rehabilitate the dilapidated structures. Now they have started changing the names of Muslim religious places.
The Imambara Shahnajaf was built by Nawab Ghaziud-Din-Haider to offer prayers. When the person who built the monument did not call it a tomb, how can the ASI call it a tomb? The Shahnajaf Imambara, located on Rana Pratap Marg, was built by Nawab Ghazi-ud-Din Haider, the last Nawab Wazir and the first king of Awadh in 1816–1817.
The Imambara served as his mausoleum, a replica of Ali’s mausoleum in Najaf in Iraq. Apart from Nawab Ghazi-ud-Din, his three wives, Sarfaraz Mahal, Mubarak Mahal and Mumtaz Mahal are also buried here.
Lucknow’s ASI Superintendent Aftab Hussain said, Shahnajaf Imambara is named as the tomb of Ghazi-ud-din-Haider in the Ancient Monuments Protection Act, 1920. As part of the heritage site restoration, we put up a signboard bearing the correct name.
We have taken several measures to restore heritage sites. Inside the Shahnajaf Imambara, is the tomb of Ghazi-ud-din-Haider. Similarly, the Bada Imambara (Asafi Imambara) houses the tombs of Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula and Chhota. The Imambara (Imambada Hussainabad Mubarak) is the mausoleum of Muhammad Ali Shah. If there is any objection to the name of the places, we will take appropriate steps.
Responding to ASI’s controversy, Maulana Yasoob Abbas said: The names given by ASI remain only on paper. For centuries, heritage sites have been known by their original names. It is a place of worship and the ASI wants to designate it as a mausoleum.
Shia clerics will attend a session of the All India Shia Personal Law Board
Shia clerics will attend a session of the All India Shia Personal Law Board in December. We are planning to launch a campaign to restore the original names of Muslim heritage sites. We will also write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard.
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