Hyderabad: Koh-e- Moula Ali shrine all decked up for ongoing Islamic month of Rajab

The month holds a lot of significance in Islam for different reasons and considered one of the four sacred months in the Hijri calendar, it has several events lined up

Hyderabad: With the current Islamic month of Rajab, the seventh month in the Hijri calendar, underway hectic activity is witnessed across the old city.

The month holds a lot of significance in Islam for different reasons and considered one of the four sacred months in the Hijri calendar, it has several events lined up.

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On Tuesday, corresponding to 13th Rajab, several processions were taken out to celebrate the birthday of Hazrath Imam Ali. The processions culminated at Koh-e- Moula Ali shrine at Malkajgiri.

“A dozen odd ‘sehra’, processions were taken out on Tuesday to Moula Ali shrine. The practice of carrying the sehra and offering at the shrine of Moula Ali dates back several centuries,” said Syed Hamed Hussain Jaffery, president Shia Youth Conference.

“The next big event will be on Friday when the sandal processions is taken out from different areas of the old city to the Moula Ali shrine. The sandal will be offered at the shrine on Saturday early hours,” said Syed Mujtaba Hussain Abidi, member of Shia community and local philanthropist.

A sandal procession is a ritual that involves carrying sandal paste to a shrine or tomb to anoint it. It is often part of a larger festival or celebration.

The Koh-e-Moula Ali shrine is located on a hillock at the Malkajgiri and according to legends, was built during the reign of Sultan Ibrahim Qutb Shah, the third ruler of Golconda. It is said a person Mallik Yakoot, during his visit to the hills saw the handprint of Imam Ali branded on a part of the rock.

The tale of his find reached Sultan Ibrahim Qutb Shah who then had the hand mark carved out of the rock and placed in the great arch at the site. Since then a shrine was constructed at the place apart from aashookhana and other buildings.

“The authorities had made arrangements for the smooth conduct of the event at Moula Ali. Throughout the month events are lined up,” said Azmath Jaffery, a Shia Youth leader.

A local decorator, Zawar Sound of Darulshifa out of his devotion illuminated the Moula Ali shrine every year.