Sectarianism hurting Indian Muslims: Milli Council convention urges Muslims to shun sectarian differences, unite

The Milli Council's convention that was held in Bhopal, gave a call to Muslims to shun their sectarian differences.

"All attempts are being made to blow up minor sectarian issues and create greater conflict between Islamic sects", read the first line of the resolution passed in the two day conclave.

"The sectarian issues are hurting Muslims in a big way and they are being used to weaken the community, at a time when communal elements are trying their best to muzzle the voice and trample upon the rights of the minorities".

The Milli Council's meet agreed upon the point to bring leaders, clergymen, politicians and other heads together and run a 'Karwaan' in different states.

The aim is to defeat the grand design to divide Muslims by raising sectarian issues. Resolutions were also passed regarding the stand against any attempt to push Uniform Civil Code and against changes in history and educational policies.

"This is a fascist conspiracy. The aim is that Muslims fight among themselves, their energies directed towards finding faults with other sects and in process turning their eyes from the real attack on their constitutional rights".

This was the 18th conclave of the All India Milli Council, which is a platform of Muslim clergy, leaders and intelligentsia. Nearly, 250 delegates from all over India attended the event, which was held in Imperial Sabre hotel in  Bhopal. 

Gujarat massacre mastermind Babu Bajrangi gets bail 14th time: Where is the anger, media coverage, outrage?

Once again, Babu Bajrangi, has managed to get the bail.

Not first or second, it is 14th time that the convicted criminal has secured bail from the court.

Where is the outrage? 

Now, who is Babu Bajrangi. Not an ordinary criminal but someone who has been sentenced to life for committing one of the most grisly massacres in India.

As many as 97 persons were killed in the massacre in Ahmedabad during the Gujarat 2002 pogrom.

The man who had admitted on camera that he had raped, killed and set afire Muslim men and women.  Bajrangi was convicted in the Naroda Patiya killings and was sentenced to life imprisonment.

But, both Maya Kodnani and Bajrangi have been getting bails and are able to come out of jail on parole.

Sanjay Dutt, despite facing trial in TADA case, managed to get released on bail and parole too.
Similarly, terror accused--Asimanand and other co-accused also managed to get bail. Of course, there was no hue and cry.


When was the outrage seen? It was in the case of Shahabuddin, as if the unthinkable had happened and heavens had fallen. Clearly, law is not blind or emotionless. The names matter. The faces  matter.

If a face is close to a ruling party, then a crime of any magnitude would be pardoned. Isn't it?

LINK: Bajrangi gets relief, obtains bail from Court

Tragedy of Assamese Muslims: How Indian citizens are dubbed foreigners in their own country, face harassment in Assam

Advocate Aman Wadud highlighted the plight of Assamese Muslims in a series of Tweets, that went viral on Wednesday.

Apart from riots and ethnic cleansing, Muslims in Assam are also battling extreme prejudices and systematic persecution.

Wadud and the organization Myfacts fought for Moinal Mollah, a Assamese Muslim, whose name was put in 'D-category' .

In the series of tweets, the lawyer writes how being a Muslim in Assam 'is a constant struggle to survive violence, persecution, discrimination and harassment'.

The burden of proving that you are an Indian citizen, rests on the victim.

There are lakhs of Muslims facing this challenge. It took a year before Mollah could get legal reprieve and was accepted as an Indian citizen. But there are tens of thousands who don't have the money to fight cases.

Do read:

1. Being a Muslim in Assam is a constant struggle to survive violence, persecution, discrimination and multi-facet harassment.

2. Cyclic targeted killings are only one aspect of constant persecution. Administration has many other ways to harass and persecute Muslims.

3. Several lakhs Muslims in Assam are facing brutal persecution in the name of 'D' or Doubtful voters and Reference cases.

4. Citizenship of Muslims is doubted by the state and they are forced to go through rigorous trial without any prior investigation.

5. In 1997, Election Commission of India marked more the 3,70,000 people as 'D'voters, mostly Muslims but also included Bengali Hindus, Koch Rajbangshi, Nepali and others.

6. The Process of identification is dubious and it is alleged that lower officials of ECI were asked to mark at least 20 voters as 'D'in each village.

7. Ideally Election officers should mark 'D' in voters list before name of a person who fails to provide citizenship documents during survey.

8. But Election officers rarely follow due process and marks a person as ‘Doubtful’ voters arbitrarily without seeking and checking documents

9. When a person is marked as 'D' voter, he/she cannot vote, his name is deducted from PDS benefit list. And most of the D voters are poor.
10. Women consist of more than 60% of total D voters. PDS benefits are life line for many. Once you are D voter, that life line is also gone

Indigenous Assamese Muslims facing existential crisis

11. ‘D’ can be deleted from voters' list by Foreigners Tribunal if held as Indian. D voters are sent to FT to determine whether they are Indian or not.

12. Another tool used mainly against Muslims is “Reference Case”(similar to charge-sheet) A Reference case is sent against a suspected citizen.

13. There is Border Police Department of Assam Police, Border Police has its presence in all Police Station across Assam.

14. Border Police is supposed to survey villages and if a person cannot produce documents on demand of police, he should be given time to submit documents.

15. If the person cannot submit  citizenship documents he is marked as “suspected citizen” by Border Police.

British law meant for enemies, used against own citizens

16. A suspected citizen is charge-sheeted or a Reference Case is send 2 Foreigners Tribunal. FT send notice to“suspected citizen to appear before it.

17. The modus operandi of Police is to mark a person as suspected citizen, and Reference Case with out asking 4 any documents or any investigation whatsoever.

18. Foreigners Tribunal is governed by Foreigners Act 1946, where the burden of proof lies on the opposite party or the ‘suspected citizen.'

19. Foreigners Act finds its roots in Foreigners Ordinance 1939 which was enacted to deal with war emergency situation during world war II.

20. Foreigners Act 1946, was passed by British Parliament for expulsion of foreigners mainly from Axis countries.

21. The colonial Act which was enacted for expulsion of enemies is now imposed on poor and illiterate citizen to prove their citizenship.

22. So if a poor and illiterate citizen don’t appear before the Tribunal,he/she can be held a ‘foreigner’ ex-parte. Which happens in 95% cases.

23. In 2012 the Assam govt published white paper on foreigners issue. It says 88192 cases were disposed between 1998 and 2012 by Tribunals.

24. Out of 88192 cases only 6590 were declared as foreigners i.e.93% of 'D' voters & ‘suspected citizens’ hv proved their Indian nationality.

25.When 93% poor and illiterate people marked as Suspected Citizen can prove citizenship.IT says all about investigation which marked them “suspected citizen.”

95% declared foreigners by 'ex-parte judgments; 55,000 till last two months

26. In 2015 Assam Police put a list of 7K ‘un-traced foreigners’ on public domain.The list has ‘un-traced foreigners’ from 13 districts of Assam.

27. Out of 13 districts, 3 districts provided the information regarding ‘manner of judgment’ i.e. ex- parte or contested.

28. Mangaldoi district data reveals that out of 208 declared foreigners only 1 person contested, remaining ninety nine. As many as fifty two percent people declared foreigner ex-parte.

29. More than 95% people declared as Foreigners are declared by ex-parte judgment. Till two months ago 55,000 people have been declared foreigner.

30. Once declared a foreigner,one might hv 2 spend rest of life in detention,without a Parole, if the FT order is not set aside by HC and SC

Victims don't have money to fight court cases

31. Forget about the Supreme Court, majority people declared as foreigner are too poor to even approach High court.

32. There are many Indian citizens damned as foreigners are languishing in detention camps. They might breathe their last in detention.

33. Just because a person is held  a foreigner by exp-parte judgment doesn’t mean he is foreigner. The Moinal Mollah case is classic example.

34. Mollah and parents wr marked “D” voters in 1997.His parents were sent notice by erstwhile IMDT. They appeared & wr held Indian citizens.

35. Moinal Mollah ws sent notice much later by Foreigners Tribunal.He appeared thrice, but because of ill advice of his lawyer he stopped appearing

Victim's petition was dismissed thrice, long legal battle brought him justice

36. Moinal Mollah was held a foreigner by ex-parte judgement. He came to know two years later that he has been held a foreigner.

37. Moinal Mollah approached Gauhati High Court, his petition was dismissed thrice. He was arrested on 05-09-2013 and sent to detention camp

38. Mollah had only one option- Supreme Court. He was too poor to approach Hon'ble SC. Our org MYFACTS helped him to approach Supreme Court.

39. By order dated 12.07.16 Honble SC gave Mollah an opportunity to file written statement before Foreigners Tribunal , Barpeta, Assam.

40. On 3rd August,2016, Moinal Mollah was released from Goalpara detention camp after being detained for almost three years.

41. On the blessed day of 14th October 2016, Foreigners Tribunal Barpeta held Moinal Mollah an Indian citizen by birth. He is no more a foreigner now.

42. COPY of the judgment that held Moinal Mollah an Indian citizen. We took up this case pro-bono. It took more than a year of hard work.                                              

43. Moinal Mollah’s case is a classic example which proves that just because a person is held foreigner by Tribunal, does not mean he is one.

44. There are thousands of Moinal Mollahs. Many languishing in detention camp without a parole. Some will breathe their last in detention

How Indian born termed 'foreigner: How can State treat our own citizens so mercilessly?

45. Mollah was detention for 3 years leaving behind wife and three daughters. Two of his younger brothers didn’t marry because he was in detention.

46. In the HC we are fighting case of a couple Hunti Ali and Rabia. They held as foreigners on frivolous ground. In detention for 8 months now.

47. Hunti Ali and Rabia Begum has three sons, all stays with relatives now after parent's arrest. Elder one only 13 dropped out of school.

48. Every Indian Citizen held as “foreigner” has similar heart wrenching stories to tell. IF this don’t outrage us, wonder what exactly will.

49. After dealing with scores of cases I can say with all conviction that majority people held as “foreigner” are genuine Indian citizens.

The tweets were made through the handle MuslimVoicesIndia: @MuslimVoicesIn
Advocate Aman Wadud tweets at @AmanWadud 

[The book Assam's Doubtful Citizens can be obtained from Pharos Media]

Shameful: Right-wing Hindu group desecrate Lord Rama photo to cause communal riot in Gulbarga, six arrested

When six persons were arrested for alleged desecration of Lord Rama's photograph in a banner, the police were in for a shock.

The arrested persons were Hindu and they had links with the right-wing group Ram Sene [also spelt, Ram Sena].

This incident occurred in Shahbad in Gulbarga recently. Superintendent of Police (SP) N Sasikumar said that the aim was to create communal tension.

He said that those arrested told police that they were associated with Ram Sena.

The incident took place after the arrest of a youth for posting anti-Muslim content on social media. His arrest angered with the right-wing groups and a conspiracy was hatched to create communal tension.

Hence, the accsued themselves desecrated Lord Rama's photograph in the Vijaya Dashami banner, so that the blame could be put on Muslims, which would have led to communal tension.

Not the first incident

This is not the first such incident. A Pakistani flag was hoisted in Bijapur in Karnataka in 2012 After the incident, right-wing groups went on rampage.

However, all fizzled out when Ram Sena workers were arrested. Those arrested were mebers of the group's Sindgi unit. They had hosited flag in the campus of the town tehsildar in early hours.

But during inquiry it was found that a two-wheeler was seen on the wee hours at the office. On the basis of that, the two-wheeler owner and his accomplices were identified and taken in custody. They revealed the names of the other accomplices too.

Besides, there have been similar incidents in other parts of the country too. Clearly, the aim is to foment trouble and create divide between Hindus and Muslims. But the question is, 'How people get so indoctrinated that they could commit such acts?".

LINKS:

*Ram Sena men arrested in Gulbarga for throwing cow dung at banner
*Six arrested in Karnataka for desecration, six arrested

Photo courtesy: DeccanDigest.com

Firing at Chief Minister's chopper, bomb blasts, helipad attacked, yet it won't be called Terrorism!

It was the biggest news of the day. A chief minister was fired at, just when he was about to get out of the chopper.

Armed terrorists began firing at the helipad. Bombs were also set off the same day in the State.

Still, did you watch the news as lead on TV channels. Was it given due importance?

"Suspected militants opened gunfire as he was getting out of helicopter", said this report, quoting CID officials. There were four ministers and two MLAs too in the helicopter. Manipur CM's helicopter ambushed, reports Scroll.

"A jawan of the Manipur Rifles was injured in the firing which took place when the chief minister stepped out of the helicopter and was being greeted by government officials", it further said.

The audacity of the attackers could be gauged from the fact that security was already beefed up in Ukhrul as CM was to reach there to inaugurate the developmental projects.

The militants attacked the helipad where CM Okram Ibobi Singh's chopper was scheduled to land in Ukhrul in Manipur, reported International Business Times (IBT).

The newspaper reported that several policemen were hurt in firing between militants and security forces, and the CM escaped unhurt. India Reserve Battalion jawans were also injured in IED blasts elsewhere in the State, on the same day.

In reports, words like 'unidentified gunmen' or 'militants' were used. Nowhere the word terror was found--neither on websites of major newspaper, nor on TV channels which carried these reports.

How headlines were sanitized [no use of word 'Terrorist']:

1. Helipad attacked after Manipur CM’s chopper takes off.

2. Manipur CM escapes ambush. 

3. CM Okram Ibobi escapes unhurt as militants open fire.

[See link, link and link]

NSCN(IM) is a banned outfit, just like other outfits which can't operate under Indian law.

However, its cadre is mostly called 'gunman', 'rebel', 'shooter' or 'outlaw', but not 'terrorist'. This is the same with ULFA, Bodo and Maoists too. The attacks may be brazen but they never fall in 'Terrorism' criterion in Indian media. 

Terror in the name of Cow: Muslim man killed in police custody in Jharkhand, state remains soft on cow vigilantes

Cow vigilantes continue to spread terror across the country.

Minhaj Ansari, 22, is the latest victim of this form of terrorism.

Ansari wasn't killed for consuming or carrying meat.

He was murdered as he had shared 'objectionable photographs' of a calf on WhatsApp.

It was no offence. No FIR was registered. In any case, no court or system is needed when cow vigilantes come into the picture.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Sonu Singh informed police and soon plain-clothed personnel picked up the 22-year-old Ansari.

He was allegedly tortured in illegal detention and later died in police custody--a clear case of cop-cow vigilantes' nexus which has emerged in most parts of North India.

READ: Cow vigilantes' terror is the new form of right-wing extremism in India

The photograph above shows Ansari with his daughter. Now he is no more. Policemen initially tried to pass it off as a case of 'natural death'. There were attempts to hush up the case.

This horrific incident took place in Dighari in Jamtara district.

The post-mortem report later clearly suggested that there were injury marks.

The police station in-charge has not been arrested till now.

Sonu Singh hasn't been caught in this case either.Justice eludes the family.

Ansari's death sparked off protests.  Initially, individuals and some determined activists took up the case. 'National media' mostly ignored it.

READ: Food fascism, attacks on Muslims by cow vigilantes

An exception was Indian Express, which carried the reports. Clearly, it is a case of law-and-order collapse in the Eastern state. Cow vigilantism has reached a critical stage in the country.

It seems that anyone can be lynched anywhere. Could be an armyman's father or a truck driver, a trader or a driver, a factory worker or a minor boy.

In BJP ruled Jharkhand, cow vigilantes had earlier hanged two Muslims including a minor too. [Read about the Latehar tragedy at this link]

That incident had occurred in Latehar earlier this year.

The two--Mazloom Ansari, 35, and Inmtiaz, 12, were hanged by a tree publicly.

However, even after the latest incident in Jamtar, 'mainstream' media hasn't been vocal till date.

READ: Sakshi Maharaj should start campaign with top beef export companies in India

Not a single report of 'Jungle-Raj in Jharkhand' has appeared in headlines in the newspapers. It seems that killings over anything related to cow, have become a normal practice, and there is little outrage.

Killings continue despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rebuke to 'Gau Rakshaks'

The killings seem to have a 'sanction' in several states. Else,  how could administration act in such bizarre and partisan manner.

In a speech recently, PM Modi had said that in every state the police chief should ensure that self-styled cow vigilantes' dossiers are prepared to keep a check on those who commit crimes and claim to be 'Gau Rakshaks' i.e. Cow protectors.

Nothing is visible on the ground, till now.

*[Death in custody over calf photo, autopsy reveals torture]

Shivraj Chouhan govt 'forgets' Muslim martyrs: Media reports force officials to wake up, accept 'mistake', promise to rectify the error

The Madhya Pradesh government built a huge memorial in memory of its brave soldiers but forgot the Muslim martyrs.

Param Vir Chakra Abdul Hamid and Brigadier Usman whose tales of valour are known to everybody in the country, were 'forgotten'.

Madhya Pradesh government sayss that while there are many war memorials in the country, it is the first memorial that commemorates the tales of bravery of Indian soldiers. Journalist Alok Pandey's report in Hindi newspaper Patrika [see above].

However, the Culture department of the MP government didn't provide a space to these legendary figures of Indian army. The 'Shaurya Smarak' has been built by MP government on a vast land at Arera Hills.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, especially, came to Bhopal, to inaugurate the memorial. After newspaper reports mentioned how these great martyrs did not find a place in the gallery of great soldiers, the MP government accepted the 'mistake'.

Such an innocent error! No tale of brave men of Indian army is complete without a mention of 'Naushera ka Sher' Brigadeir Usman and Abdul Hamid. The latter had single-handedly destroyed the 'famed' Patton tanks of Pakistan.

Patrika, the mass circulated Hindi newspaper, carried the story as lead on its front page. Subsequently, Culture department Principal Secretary (PS) Manoj Srivastava admitted the mistake and said that the mistake would be corrected.

Muslim artists perform Ram Lila in Lucknow: Communal Harmony Project-33

Communal harmony is not a term that's just used in books or speeches.

It the spirit of this country, even if people ignore numerous incidents around themselves.

The photograph on the left can give you an indication.

Lucknow is known for its communal harmony and composite culture.

Ram Lila is annually held in Bakhshi Ka Talab locality here and it has mostly Muslim artists.

Either it is Sabir Khan who is the director and has also played roles in the Ram Leela in the past or Safaraz Khan, audience simply love them for their unique presentation.

The Ram Lila brings to fore the life of Lord Rama on the stage. But apart from the Bakhshi ka Talab event, there are other Ram Lilas that too have Muslim characters and Muslims among organisers-patrons.

The convenor of the Lucknow Ramlila Association says that the biggest of all--Ram Lila at Aishbagh in Lucknow, is unimaginable without the partcipation of Shamsur Rahman Naved. Lucknow is known for its communal harmony.

But all over the country, Ram Lilas are staged with Muslims as organisers, artists, audiences and supporters. In Mewat region too, it is part of the culture. Either in Punhana or Tavdu, Muslim artists--musicians, actors, take part in the presentation. Photo courtesy, Hindi daily Patrika [Patrika.com]

[Harmony exists all around us but is often ignored. Instead, stories of hate, discord and communalism get spread easily.

There are a million examples in our daily lives across India but they don't get promoted, hence, news of hate and discord gets heard more. Let's change it, now. This is a small attempt to change it through Communal Harmony Project]

For reading similar reports on this blog, Click the link HERE and also find out more about Communal Harmony Project

#communalharmony #communalharmonyproject #india

When a leading Deobandi scholar supported 'Tazia', Muharram rituals

Can you imagine a Deobandi scholar supporting the practice of 'Tazia-dari' or performing rituals during Muharram?

Unimaginable, isn't it? Maulan Ashraf Ali Thanvi was passing by rural part of Northern Rajasthan that falls in Mewat region.

He reached a Muslim hamlet where most people had little awareness about religion.

They neither prayed, not could recite Quranic verses. Maulana Thanvi, a leading light of Deoband, asked them if they organised any event. "We have a platform, which is called Imam Husain Ka Chabutra. Here Tazia is kept during Muharram", came the reply.

"If a person who can read arrives, the Shahadatnama is read out here". Maulana Thanvi told them to ensure that the rituals were performed with more zeal and urged them to call 'Aalims' from outside during Muharram, for 'taqreer' [discourses].

After leaving the place, his companions who were quite surprised, asked him that how come Maulana Thanvi who always opposed these rituals, encouraged the locals and told them to continue the 'Azadari' [Tazia, Ashura related] rituals.

Maulana Thanvi replied, "these people have no link with Islam, except Imam Husain's name. If I discourage them at this point, there is little chance that there association with the religion would remain and they may turn towards irtidad.

However, if they continue the practices and call clerics from outside, the link would remain and they may learn basics of Islam too viz.prayers, fasting et al. Hence, it was important, to tell them to continue the practices", he said.

Clearly, it was his tact--hikmat. If he had begun with denouncing them, calling them ignorant or branding them as non-Muslims, it wouldn't have helped at all. Unfortunately, today, it has become a norm for people to call fellow Muslims, 'mushrik', without even realising that it is not permissible an one doesn't have the authority to pass such judgments.

Stop judging fellow Muslims: Criticizing other sects, targeting their beliefs, itch to raise objections on Muharram rituals

The Islamic month of Muharram has begun. With this, the annual ritual to criticise the practice of mourning and 'maatam' is also being witnessed.

On social media, there is a flood of messages through SMS, WhatsApp and social media posts, calling mourning and maatam [self-flagellation] as un-Islamic, wrong and backward practices.

This is a matter of belief--mourning the martyrdom of Prophet's grandson and his family in the battle of Karbala.

Shias perform 'maatam' to express their grief at the tragic events. Many Sunnis too mourn*, though they don't perform maatam.

Worse, people use abusive terms for those who perform these rituals.

What do you gain by questioning their practices or condemning them? They are a different sect and they have their own beliefs-traditions.

It hurts them when they are constantly targeted. How upset we [Muslims] feel when questions are raised on Qurbani during Eid-uz-Zuha [act of slaughter termed violent], and there is criticism of the practice by many non-Muslims.

It is unrealistic to expect that everyone will act as per your beliefs. And who are you to decide who is 'Muslim' and who is 'outside pale of Islam'. If you are a believer you should be humble and worry if you are on right path, rather than targeting-abusing others.

Weird: Expecting others to be like you!

Who has the authority to issue certificates of 'Islamic' and 'un-Islamic' behaviour? It is absolutely between God and the individual.

Besides, it is irrational to expect that everyone will behave just like you and adhere to religion exactly in the way, you have seen in your family or grown accustomed to.

Those who object to Muharram practices and call them 'wrong', 'cheap' or 'un-Islamic', should better introspect about their own thinking. When your ways are questioned, you get upset and get ready to pick up fight, don't you?

The sectarian itch prompts you to brand others, blame others. In recent years, this bug has bitten a huge populace. The arguments, counter-arguments and you get another reason to feel special--you are expert 'sectarianist'.

Obsession with sectarianism

"We must correct them, islaah is needed", is the standard answer. Really! So there is nothing else to correct--from social issues to educational matters, from language to character, and why not start it from your house?

The belief is that only we are right and others are wrong, is troublesome. Isn't it better to focus on improving oneself and one's family? Also, there are counter-arguments that Shias practice 'tabarra' and abuse the first three Caliphs.

Ask if you have ever heard anyone do it publicly and there is no response. The belief that all Shias do that is also strange. And, if someone does something in their homes, what will you do? Isn't this plain-hate?

How different is it from the right-wing extremists who presume that beef is cooked in a house and kill Akhlaq. Isn't this hypocrisy? The same majoritarian communalism towards a minority within your society!

When sects are different, why do you judge them?

It is a strange disease [most of us suffer] to target anyone who is not like 'us'--the us is what we have seen growing up in family or neighbourhood. You're are just not aware of the kind of cultural, sectarian and social differences, that exist across the world.

This is totally irrational and also against the basic tehzeeb [manners, decency] of living in a society. Everyone can't be like you. Still, if you insist on calling them names, then forget talk about Ummah and unity among Muslim sects.

In fact, a strange passion overcomes people when it comes to sectarianism. Sane people get into a totally different mode, writing posts after posts, dozens of comments, as if this is the biggest issue on the planet.

Sects are a reality, accept it

Sects are a reality. Not just Barelvi-Deobandi, but Ismaili to Bohra, and so on. When it comes to interpretations and 'hadith', people go as per their own sect's interpretation, terming other 'hadith' as zaeef or ignoring it.

For nearly 1300 years there were Muslim aalims who never so easily branded other as 'non-Muslims'. Aga Khan was in fact considered one of the major leader of Indian Muslims till Partition.

Many prominent leaders of Muslim community were Shia, Ismaili, even Mehdavia and those belonging to the other sects. There was less objection to others' practices and minor differences were ignored.

But in recent decades, it has become a favourite pastime to do tanqeed [criticism] and target others. People strongly feel what they feel, calling them that they are on wrong path, all the time, doesn't help at all.

READ: Either Barelvi or Deobandi. Difficult to be 'simply Muslim' amid growing sectarianism

[*The processions are taken out by Sunnis and Shias on Muharram. Shias carry 'Alams' and perform maatam. Tazias are mostly carried by Sunnis and also some Hindus. However, many urbane people dismiss Tazias as Hindu influence and look down upon even those Sunnis who take part in this rituals]